1932 photo of Flatbush Christian Church - Brooklyn, NY (Brooklyn Public Library)
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  Flatbush Christian Church (c.1908) - Brooklyn, N.Y.
  Original building (c.1908)
Flatbush Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)

Dorchester Road at East 15th Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11216

Organ Specifications:
Dorchester Road and Marlborought Road (c.1915-1967)
► II/14 Clarence E. Morey (1915)
Dorchester Road and East 15th Street (c.1903-c.1915)
• unknown


The Flatbush Christian Church was organized as The Third Church of Christ (Disciples) in November 1903, with twenty-one charter members. Under the leadership of the Rev. W. G. Oram, its first minister, the society purchased property on the corner of Dorchester Road and East 15th Street, and erected a building.

After only a decade the congregation had outgrown its facilities, described as "barely more than a Sunday School auditorium." Plans were made for a new church building that would be located at the corner of Dorchester and Marlborough Roads. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (May 21, 1913) reported, "The new Christian Church is intended to be the most fully equipped institutional building in Flatbush, with its gymnasium, bowling alleys, lockers, shower-baths and reading room, thus making it a seven-day church, operating days and evenings for the "the betterment of the community and to provide wholesome culture and entertainment for the young men and women of the community, regardless of denominational affilation."

The congregation disbanded or merged in 1967, and its building became a senior center.

         
  C.E. Morey organ (1915) in Flatbush Christian Church - Brooklyn, NY
Clarence E. Morey
Utica, N.Y. (1915)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 14 stops, 14 ranks



The organ in Flatbush Christian Church was built in 1915 by Clarence E. Morey of Utica, N.Y. Originally, the organ had 13 stops and 13 ranks, but at an unknown time a Vox Humana was added to the Swell division. Also added were Chimes, Harp and the Swell to Swell 16' coupler. Following is the specification recorded (Feb. 2, 1920) by Louis F. Mohr & Co., an organ service concern in the area. Mohr noted that there was an oak case with 49 front pipes in gold, and a 3/4 HP Orgoblo blower that produced 3-1/2" wind.

When the church closed in 1967, the organ was removed by Vaughn Ramsey, Matthew Bellocchio and Larry Trupiano. Mr. Trupiano wrote: "Ramsey took most of the pipework, Matt claimed the Swell chest, blower and reservoirs, and I took the Great chest, Pedal Bourdon and console. This 'stuff' reposed in my basement and became the nucleus of my e-p organ with the 1m Jardine in the sun room upstairs. My father was not a happy camper about all this 'stuff'!"
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
   Open Diapason
61
4
   Flute d'Amour
61
8
   Dulciana
61
 
Chimes *
21 tubes
8
   Doppel Flute
61
    
Harp *
4
   Octave
61
    
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason
61
8
   Stopped Diapason
61
8
   Aeoline
61
4
   Flute Harmonique
61
8
   Salicional
61
8
   Oboe
61
8
   Vox Celeste [TC]
49
8
   Vox Humana *
61
           
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
   Bourdon
30
   
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Great to Great 4
    Swell to Pedal   Swell to Swell 4
    Swell to Great 16, 8, 4   Swell to Swell 16 *
           
* added at unknown time
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3
Great Organ Pistons 1-2
               
Mechanicals
    Tremolo Wind Indicator
    Balanced Swell Pedal (mechanical) Crescendo Indicator
    Crescendo Pedal  
           
Sources:
     Flatbush of To-Day (Vol. II, No. 1, April 1908).
     Mohr, Louis F. & Co. Specification (Feb. 2, 1920) of Clarence E. Morey organ (1915). Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
     "Ten-Day Campaign To Raise $15,000," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (May 21, 1913).
     Trupiano, Larry. Electronic correspondence (Feb. 11, 2014) concerning removal and fate of Clarence E. Morey organ (1915).

Illustrations:
     Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Collection. 1932 photo of exterior.
     Flatbush Christian Church. Interior. Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
     Flatbush of To-Day (Vol. II, No. 1, April 1908). Exterior of original building (c.1908).