Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Brooklyn, N.Y. (photo: Paul Lowry)
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Church of the Immaculate Conception
of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(Roman Catholic)

72 Maujer Street at Leonard Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11206

Organ Specifications:
• unknown (1915 and on)
► II/21 Richard M. Ferris (1855)


The Parish of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly known as "St. Mary's," was established in May 1853 to serve Irish Catholics in the East Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. The Rev. Peter McLoughlin served as the first pastor. In August that same year, the Very Rev. John Loughlin, who would be consecrated as the first bishop of Brooklyn in October 1853, laid the cornerstone of the building being constructed at the corner of Remsen (now Maujer) and Leonard Streets. This edifice was described by Henry Reed Stiles in his monumental tome, History of the City of Brooklyn:
"It is a substantial brick structure, on a solid stone foundation; it is sixty-one feet front by one hundred and two feet deep. The front is Elizabethan, and on each side of the entrance there are three massive pillars. Over the entrance is inscribed, 'St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception, built A.D. 1854.' On the right is a figure of Faith, and on the left one of the Blessed Virgin, with appropriate inscriptions. The interior is neatly and tastefully decorated, and the altar and organ are both fine. Including the lot, the church cost $30,000."
Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Brooklyn, N.Y.  
A four-story school and adjoining convent were built along Leonard Street in 1890. Designed by Thomas F. Houghton, the buildings were constructed of pressed Philadelphia brick with brownstone trimmings.

The church was redecorated in 1895, at the direction of Rev. James F. Crowley, who had been appointed pastor earlier that year. Enhancements included the installation of twelve stained glass windows, stations of the cross in oil, electric lights and velvet carpets. The marble altar was repolished and the ceiling was frescoed at a cost of $5,000.

In 2007, St. Mary's was merged into Most Holy Trinity Church, and the combined congregations were named "Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary". The final Sunday Mass at St. Mary's was celebrated on October 28, 2007. In September 2011, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio issued a decree declaring that the Immaculate Conception building has been relegated to profane use and may be placed for sale.
               
  Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Brooklyn, N.Y.
Unknown Builder
(c.1915)




Specifications of this organ have not yet been located.
             
Richard M. Ferris
New York City (1855)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 20 stops, 21 ranks


The 1861 American Musical Directory stated that this organ had "2 banks key, 28 stops, 2 octaves pedals. Built by L. U. Stuart, in 1855." (This stop count includes stops, couplers, mechanicals, and the "Hook Pedal.") Following is the specification recorded by Louis F. Mohr & Co., an organ service concern in the area. Mohr shows Richard Ferris is the builder, and indicated the manual and pedal compasses. An electric blower was installed in 1911 by Reuben Midmer & Son of Brooklyn. This organ was extant until 1915.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 54 notes
8
   Open Diapason  
4
   Principal  
8
   Dulce  
2
   Fifteenth  
8
   Stopped Diapason Bass       Sesquialtra (2 ranks?)  
8
   Stopped Diapason Treble  
8
   Trumpet  
8
   Gamba  
8
   Cremona  
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 54 notes, enclosed
8
   Stopped Diapason Bass  
8
   Trumpet  
8
   Stopped Diapason Treble  
8
   Oboe  
8
   Dulciana  
8
   Vox Humana  
4
   Principal  
4
   Clarion  
2
   Fifteenth          

     

     
Pedal Organ – 20 notes
16
   Bourdon
20
        
8
   "8 ft"
20
        
16
   "16 ft"
20
        
               
Couplers, &c
    Great to Swell       Bellows Alarm  
    Pedal to Swell       Tremolo  
    Pedal to Great       Hook Pedal  
               
Sources:
     American Musical Directory. New York: Thomas Hutchinson, 1861.
     Brooklyn Catholic Blogspot: http://brooklyncatholic.blogspot.com/2011/09/immaculate-conception-maujer-st.html
     "Convent and School. The New Buildings Attached to St. Mary's Church, E.D.," Brooklyn Eagle (Apr. 9, 1890).
     "Handsomely Refurnished," Brooklyn Eagle (June 3, 1895).
     Mohr, Louis F. & Co. Specifications of Richard Ferris organ (1855). Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
     The Roman Catholic Community of Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary web site: http://www.mhtbrooklyn.org/index.htm
     Stiles, Henry Reed. History of the City of Brooklyn: Including the Old Town and Village of Brooklyn, the Town of Bushwick, and the Village and City of Williamsburgh. 3 Volumes. Brooklyn: pub. by subscription, 1863.

Illustrations:
     Lowry, Paul. Exterior (2008).
     The Roman Catholic Community of Most Holy Trinity – St. Mary web site. Interior photos.