Reformed Church of South Bushwick - Brooklyn, NY (photo: Gregory Eaton)
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Reformed Church of South Bushwick

855 Bushwick Avenue at Himrod Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11221



Organ Specifications:
► II/15 William. B. Williams, Op. 8 (1893) – Church
• II/9 Hook & Hastings, Op. 1333 (1887) – Sunday school (1930)







The Reformed Church of South Bushwick dates back to 1851 when a group living in the new area known as Bowronville petitioned the North Classis of Long Island to establish a church in their area. Most of the group were members of the old Reformed Church of Bushwick. The petition was granted and The Reformed Dutch Church of South Bushwick was organized in November 1851. Services for the new society were held in the Methodist church at the Cross roads until a permanent church could be built. Six lots of land on Bushwick Avenue, opposite the junction of Lafayette Avenue and Broadway, were donated by the brothers Andrew and Abraham Stockholm. Construction began on the present church and its cornerstone was laid on Monday, September 6, 1852. Church records show that the plans were "drawn up by Messrs. Morgan," who combined Greek Revival forms with a Georgian-inspired tower and steeple. The frame building measures seventy-five feet long by fifty-five feet wide and provides seating for about 500 persons. Dedicated on Sunday, February 27, 1853, the church was built at a cost about $5,900, of which $2,000 was a grant from the Collegiate Church of New York. On January 29, 1854, the society installed its first pastor, the Rev. John S. Himrod, for whom the street adjacent to the church would later be named.

In 1881, an "elegant and commodious school house," designed by J.J. Buck, was added to provide a chapel and space for the Sunday school. Two years later, in 1883, the church was enlarged in some way. In 1968, the church complex was designated a landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
               
  W.B. Williams organ, Op. 8 (1893) in the Reformed Church of South Bushwick - Brooklyn, NY (photo: Gregory Eaton)
William B. Williams
New York City – Opus 8 (1893)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 15 stops, 15 ranks




The present organ was built in 1893 by William B. Williams of New York City. As of 2010, the organ was still playable but in need of a restoration.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
  Open Diapason
61
4
   Flute d'Amour
61
8
  [St. Diap. Bass] *
12
4
   Principal
61
8
   Dulciana [TC]
49
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   Melodia [TC]
49
    
* stop label missing
 
     
 
     
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Violin Diapason
61
2
  Flautino
61
8
  Salicional
61
8
  Bassoon [bass]
12
8
  Stopd Diapason
61
8
   Oboe [TC]
49
4
   Flute Harmonic
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
 
     
 
     
Pedal Organ – 27 notes
16
   Bourdon
27
        
8
   Violoncello
27
        
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal          
    Swell to Pedal          
    Swell to Great [push buttons for on & off]
               
Pedal Movements
    Great Mezzo       Balanced Swell Pedal  
    Great Forte          
               
Organ in the Sunday school:

Hook & Hastings
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1333 (1887); moved (1930)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 20 registers, 11 stops, 9 ranks


This organ was originally built by Hook & Hastings in 1887 for the Brighton Avenue Baptist Church, Brighton, Mass. In 1930, the organ was sold (for $1,600) to the South Bushwick Church for use in the Sunday school. Specifications of this organ have not yet been located.
               
Sources:
     "Brooklyn City," The New York Times (Feb. 28, 1853).
     Dolkart, Andrew S. and Matthew A. Postal. Guide to New York City Landmarks (Third Edition). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004.
     Eaton, Gregory. Specifications of Wm. B. Williams organ, Op. 8 (1893).
     Fox, David H. A Guide to North American Organbuilders (Rev. ed.). Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.
     Gasero, Russell, ed. Historical Directory of the Reformed Church in America, 1628–1992. New Brunswick: 2000.
     "Old Dutch. The Newly Named Reformed Churches of Brooklyn," Brooklyn Eagle (Feb. 26, 1887).
     "Sites in 3 Boroughs Named Landmarks," The New York Times (May 17, 1968).
     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.
     "Williamsburg City," The New York Times (Sept. 3, 1852).

Illustration:
     Eaton, Gregory. Exterior; William B. Williams organ, Op. 8 (1893).