Central Congregational Church - Brooklyn, NY
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Church of the Mediator
(Protestant Episcopal)

Ormond Place and Jefferson Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 10031


Organ Specifications:
► II/17 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 136 (1874)
• II/26 George N. Andrews (1863)






The Church of the Mediator began when a few friends of Rev. William H. Reid rented the Juvenile Academy on Washington Street and transformed it into a church, which was opened in April 1869. The society was "High Church" Protestant Episcopal, often referred to as "Ritualistic." Later, the Church of the Mediator leased old St. Ann's Church building on Washington and Prospect Streets. In 1873, the congregation purchased the former Central Congregational Church edifice, a brick structure with a seating capacity of 800, on the corner of Ormond Place and Jefferson Street. In May 1875, services were discontinued, and the property was transferred to the former owners. In November of the same year the building was rented, and services were resumed. In May 1876, they were again discontinued, and were not resumed till February 1880, when the Rev. J. W. Sparks was called as Rector. In November 1881, the building was again purchased from the Central Congregational Society. It is not known when this congregation merged or disbanded.
           
J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 136 (1874)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 16 stops, 17 ranks


In 1874, the Church of the Mediator purchased the Hall & Labagh organ that had been built in 1848 for St. Ann's Church for the Deaf Mutes in Manhattan. The Agreement (May 2, 1874) between Odell and the church states that Odell would provide "new keys, new couplers, new action, new case, and new front pipes handsomely decorated" and set it up in the church for a consideration of $2,300, less $550 for the 1863 George N. Andrews organ then in the church. Following is the specification of the Hall & Labagh organ as given in the Agreement:
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 54 notes
8
   Open Diapason
54
4
   Flute (wood)
54
8
   Viol de Gamba (TC)
42
2 2/3
   Twelfth
54
8
   Stop'd Diapason Bass
12
2
   Fifteenth
54
8
   Stop'd Diapason Treble (TC)
46
8
   Trumpet
54
4
   Principal
54
        

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 54 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon Bass
12
8
   Stop'd Diapason Treble (TC)
42
16
   Double Diapason (TC)
42
4
   Principal (TC)
42
8
   Open Diapason (TC)
42
4
   Principal Bass
12
8
   Dulciana (TC)
42
     Cornet (2 ranks)
126
8
   Stop'd Diapason Bass
12
8
   Hautboy (TC)
42

     

     
Pedal Organ – 25 notes
16
   Grand Double Open Diapason
25
        
               
Couplers &c
    Swell to Great       Great to Pedal  
    Swell to Pedal       Bellows Signal  
           
George N. Andrews
Utica, N.Y. (1863)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 26 stops


When the Church of the Mediator acquired the former Central Congregational Church, there was an organ built in 1863 by George N. Andrews of Sangerfield, N.Y. Following is the account of the organ from the Brooklyn Eagle (Oct. 19, 1863):
   "The new organ placed in the church deserves a word of special mention. It is, in all respects, a most complete and perfect instrument. It contains 26 stops and 918 pipes. Its compass is very great, running from tones so fine and delicate as to seem an angel's whisper, down to the "deep eternal bass" that ocean sings. We have an ear easily disturbed by music, but we were compelled to hush a child's prattle while straining to catch the delicate notes of the viol de gamba, when, anon, a peal from the trumpet stop and the C C C sub-bass opened upon us, and we stood back aghast. This instrument was built by G.W. [sic] Andrews, Esq., of Utica, and cost about $2,000. It is pronounced a perfect instrument of its size by all who have heard or examined it.
   "On Saturday evening the church was crowded to its fullest extent, the occasion being the first public trial of this beautiful organ, which gave forth its most dulcet tones under the skillful manipulation of the keys by such artists as Geo. W. Warren and others, including worthy young organist, Edward Taylor."
Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
Sources:
     "Church Enterprise," Brooklyn Eagle (Oct. 19, 1863).
     Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seattle, Wash.
     Petty, Bynum. J.H. & C.S. Odell Annotated Opus List.
     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. Brooklyn: pub. by subscription, 1863.
     Stiles, Henry Reed et al. The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y. from 1683 to 1884.
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Agreement (May 2, 1874) for J.H. & C.S. Odell organ, Op. 136 – the rebuilt 1848 Hall & Labagh organ.

Illustration:
     Stiles, Henry Reed. History of the City of Brooklyn. Drawing of 1853 church building.