English Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Brooklyn, NY (photo: East New York Project)
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Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation

105 Barbey Street near Arlington Avenue
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11207

Organ Specifications:
105 Barbey Street near Arlington Avenue (since 1908)
► III/16 Austin Organ Company, Op. 1596 (1928)
• Unknown Builder (1908)
Pennsylvania Avenue at Liberty Avenue (1901-1908)
• Unknown Builder (1893)
Schenck Avenue near Atlantic Avenue (1898-1901)
• unknown


English Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Schenck Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (photo: East New York Project)  
Schenck Avenue (1898-1901)  
English Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Pennsylvania Avenue, Brooklyn, NY (photo: East New York Project)  
Pennsylvania Ave. (1901-08)  






The English Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation was established in 1898 by a group of seven that desired to have Lutheran services in the English language. The original church building, a simple frame structure, was located on Schenck Avenue, between Liberty and Atlantic Avenues. Originally a Swedish Lutheran Church, it was being used as a horse wagon shop when it was rented for $10/month. The first service was held February 13, 1898.

In 1901, the society acquired the former Pennsylvania Avenue Congregational Church, located at the southeast corner of Pennsylvania and Liberty Avenues. The building was refitted for their use and a new wing was added.

The present neo-Gothic edifice, located on Barbey Street near Arlington Avenue, was dedicated on April 15, 1908. On the ground floor are rooms for the Sunday-school, and on the floor above is the church.
         
  Austin Organ, Op. 1596 (1928) in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Brooklyn, NY (photo: Brooklyn Public Library)
Austin Organ Company
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 1596 (1928)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 26 stops, 16 ranks





In 1928, the Austin Organ Company installed a new three-manual organ in a chamber at the left side of the chancel.

The status of this organ is unknown.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, partially enclosed with Choir
8
   Open Diapason
73
4
   Flauto Traverso *
73
8
   Clarabella *
73
8
   Tuba Harmonic *
73
8
   Dulciana *
73
     Chimes  
   
   
* enclosed in Choir expression box
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon [unit]
97
2
   Piccolo
—
8
   Open Diapason
73
8
   Cornopean
73
8
   Gedeckt
—
8
   Corno d'Amore
73
8
   Salicional
73
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Voix Celeste [TC]
61
     Tremolo  
4
   Flute d'Amour
—
        
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Violin Diapason
73
4
   Flauto Traverso +
—
8
   Clarabella +
—
8
   Clarinet
73
8
   Dulciana +
—
     Tremolo  
8
   Unda Maris [TC]
61
    
+ interchangeable with Great organ
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Open Diapason
44
8
   Flute [fr. Op. Diap.]
—
16
   Bourdon
SW
16
   Tuba Profunda [ext. GT]
12
           
  1909 view of chancel and organ in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Brooklyn, NY (photo: Brooklyn Public Library)
Original organ in present church:

Unknown Builder
(ca. 1908)
Unknown action



It is not yet known who built the original organ in the present church. The 1909 photo at the right shows an organ on the left side of the chancel. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
  M.P. Möller organ, Op. 498 (1901) in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation - Brooklyn, NY
Organ in church on Pennsylvania Avenue:

Unknown Builder
(1893)
Unknown action



When the congregation acquired the former Pennsylvania Avenue Congregational Church building in 1901, there existed an organ by an unknown builder that had been installed in 1893. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
Sources:
     Brooklyn Genealogical Info web site: http://www.bklyn-genealogy-info.com
     The Diapason (May 1928). Stoplist of Austin Organ, Op. 1596 (1928). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     The East New York Project web site: http://www.tapeshare.com/Reformation.html
     Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seattle, Wash.
     Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001.
     "Tested a New Instrument," Brooklyn Eagle (Aug. 10, 1893).

Illustrations:
     Brooklyn Collection, Brooklyn Public Library. 1909 photo of chancel and organ.
     The East New York Project web site. Archival photos of church buildings. Courtesy Nathan Smith.
     Trupiano, Larry. Interior (c.1901) of church on Pennsylvania Avenue.