Bethany United Methodist Church - Brooklyn, N.Y.
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Bethany United Methodist Church

1208 St. John's Place
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11213



Organ Specifications:
1208 St. John's Place near Albany Avenue (since c.1919)
► II/14 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 524 (1919)
Troy Avenue, corner Herkimer Street (c.1889-1919)
• unknown





The congregation known today as Bethany United Methodist Church began as a Swedish mission. Services were held in a carpenter shop until the society purchased the former Herkimer Street Baptist Church, at the corner of Herkimer Street and Troy Avenue, that became available in 1889. Rev. C. F. Thornblade was appointed pastor by conference, and preached his first sermon on September 1, 1889, while the society was still a mission. On March 28, 1891, the mission was organized as the Swedish Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church.

At some point, possibly in 1919 (when the Odell organ was installed), the congregation relocated to their present neo-Gothic church on St. John's Place near Albany Avenue.

           
J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 524 (1919)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 14 stops, 14 ranks


The Articles of Agreement (May 13, 1919) between the J.H. & C.S. Odell & Company and the Swedish Bethany Methodist Episcopal Church of Brooklyn show that Odell would build an organ for a consideration of $3,840 cash, and that the organ was to be installed and ready for use on or before October 15, 1919.
                 
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
  Open Diapason  
61
8
   Melodia
61
8
  Dulciana  
61
4
   Octave
61
8
  Gamba  
61
        

 

       

 

     
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason  
61
8
   Stopped Diapason
61
8
  Salicional  
61
4
   Rohr Flute
61
8
  Aeoline  
61
8
   Oboe
61
8
  Vox Celestis (TC)  
49
        
                 
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
  Bourdon  
32
        
16
   Lieblich Gedeckt  
32
        
                 
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal   Great to Great 16', 4'
    Pedal to Pedal Octaves   Swell to Swell 16', 4'
                 
Adjustable Combinations
    Pistons No. 1-2-3 operating on Great Organ
    Pistons No. 1-2-3 operating on Swell Organ
                 
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Swell Pedal   Great to Pedal Reversible
    Crescendo Pedal    
                 
Accessories
    Swell Tremulant   Electric Action Generator
    Wind Indicator   Electric Motor & Pan Blower
    Crescendo Indicator   Organ Bench with Music Shelf
             
Sources:
     Pelletreau, William. Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Family History of New York. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1907.
     Petty, Bynum. J.H. & C.S. Odell Annotated Opus List.
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specifications of J.H. & C.S. Odell Organ, Op. 524 (1919).

Illustration:
     Flickr.com (credit: "Crown Heights North"). Exterior.