Menorah Masonic Temple - Brooklyn, N.Y.
Menorah Temple under construction (1927)
  Katz Building (formerly Menorah Masonic Temple) - Brooklyn, N.Y.
  Katz Building (2012)
Click on images to enlarge
Menora Masonic Temple

5000 East 14th Avenue at 50th Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11219


Organ Specifications:
► III/14 M.P. Möller, Op. 5140 (1928)
• II/6 M.P. Möller, Op. 5141 (1928)
► II/6 M.P. Möller, Op. 5142 (1928)





The Menora Masonic Temple was located on the corner of 14th Avenue and 50th Street, in the Borough Park area of Brooklyn. Its cornerstone came from the quarries of King Solomon in Jerusalem and was dedicated on June 15, 1927. Thomas I. McCabe Sr. (1890-1983) was the contractor for the building. By 1930, the lodge had declared bankruptcy and the building was foreclosed by Namms Department Store, holder of the mortgage.

Today the structure is known as the Katz Building, and is home to the Bnos Zion of Bobov School.
         
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 5140 (1928)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 28 stops, 14 ranks


The Memorandum of Agreement (Nov. 2, 1927) between M.P. Möller, Inc. and Menora Masonic Temple, Inc., states that Möller would build and install three organs, one in each of three lodge rooms, and would have them ready for use on or before February 4, 1928. Both parties agreed that the organs would be erected for a consideration of $11,900, less $1,400 discount as advertising allowance, for a total of $10, 500. The purchaser was to pay 25% cash on the satisfactory completion and acceptance of the organs, after which they would pay the balance in six equal consecutive semi-annual notes bearing 6% interest. Unfortunately, the lodge went bankrupt shortly after opening their new building and Möller was never paid for the organs.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
   Open Diapason
61
8
   Viole d'Gamba
73
8
   Doppel Flute
73
4
   Octave [Eng. Op. Diap.]
CH
8
   Melodia
73
4
   Flute Harmonic [Con. Fl.]
CH
8
   Dulciana
73
    
Chimes
21 Bells

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
97
8
   Salicional
73
8
   Gedeckt
—
8
   Vox Celeste [TC]
61
4
   Orchestral Flute
—
4
   Salicet [ext.]
—
2 2/3
  Flute Twelfth
—
8
   Oboe
73
2
   Flautina
—
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Open Diapason
73
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   English Open Diapason
73
8
   Viole d'Gamba
GT
8
   Concert Flute
73
4
   Flute Traverso [Melodia]
GT
8
   Doppel Flute
GT
    
Harp
49 Bars
8
   Dulciana
GT
        

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Bourdon
44
8
   Flute [ext.]
—
16
   Lieblich Gedeckt
SW
8
   Violoncello
GT
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Great 16', 4'
    Swell to Pedal   Swell 16', 4'
    Choir to Pedal   Choir 16', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Great Unison Separation *
    Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'   Swell Unison Separation *
    Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'   Choir Unison Separation *
    Choir to Swell 16', 8', 4'  
* in jambs
               
Mechanicals
    Great Tremulant   Choir Tremulant
    Swell Tremulant   Crescendo Indicator
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Full Organ Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell   Great to Pedal Reversible
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Great-Choir   Sforzando Pedal
    Grand Crescendo Pedal    
         
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 5141 (1928)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 11 stops, 6 ranks


This contract was for one of two identical organs built by M.P. Möller. Specifications for this organ are the same as those for Op. 5142. See following entry.
         
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 5142 (1928)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 11 stops, 6 ranks


This small duplexed organ was installed in one of the meeting rooms. Möller voiced the organ on 5" wind pressure, and furnished the case, grille, front pipes and swell box. The organ was controlled by a detached two-manual stop key console. M.P. Möller Factory Specifications (Nov. 2, 1927) indicate the organ was to be completed by February 4, 1928.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason
61
8
   Salicional
61
8
   Stopped Diapason
61
4
   Flute Traverso
61
8
   Dulciana
61
        

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, duplexed from Great Organ
8
   Stopped Diapason
GT
8
   Salicional
GT
8
   Dulciana
GT
4
   Flute Traverso
GT

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Bourdon
32
        
16
   Lieblich Gedeckt [lo-press.]
—
        
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Great 16', 4'
    Swell to Pedal   Swell 16', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'    
               
Mechanicals
    Tremulant    
    Crescendo Indicator    
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
Great & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Swell Pedal   Great to Pedal Reversible
    Grand Crescendo Pedal    
           
Sources:
     McCabe, Thomas J. Electronic correspondence (Feb. 17, 2012) regarding construction of Menora Masonic Temple.
     Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seattle, Wash.
     "The Times in Cornerstone," The New York Times (June 15, 1927).
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specifications (Nov. 2, 1927) and Memorandum of Agreement (Nov. 2, 1927) for M.P. Möller organs, Op. 5140 and Op. 5142.
     Trupiano, Larry. Correspondence (Oct. 7, 1930) from W.H. Fisher to George Frankhouser of M.P. Möller.

Illustrations:
     McCabe, Thomas J. Photo (1927) of Menora Masonic Temple under construction; Exterior of Katz Building.