Union Baptist Church of Greenpoint - Brooklyn, N.Y. (credit: Jolanta Zastocki)
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Union Baptist Church of Brooklyn

151 Noble Street, near Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11222


Organ Specifications:
Second building (since 1863)
► I/9 George Jardine & Son (1864) – Sunday School?
► II/16 Unknown Builder
First building (1849-1863)
• unknown




The Union Baptist Church of Brooklyn can trace its roots back to 1847 when "about thirteen Baptists living in Green-Point, who, feeling the need of worshiping according to Baptist usage, organized a church with nine members, in the old Origen house, in Franklin avenue." [Stiles] For the first two years, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Mr. Jones and others. In 1850, the first meeting house, measuring 22 by 40 feet, was erected at a cost of about $1,000. In July 1851, Mr. Peter Boyce was invited to preach for the church, at a salary of $150 per annum. During his ministry, the meeting house was enlarged to 40 by 80 feet, at a cost of about $800, and the membership increased to forty-one. The society was known as the First Baptist Church of Green-Point, L.I.

During the ministry of Rev. William Reid (1861-1867), the membership increased greatly and the old meeting house proved inadequate. Lots were purchased on Noble Street, near Manhattan Avenue, and in November 1862, the cornerstone was laid for the present church. Built from 1863-1865, the 70 by 45 foot brick structure is in the Early Romanesque Revival style and has a façade with two square towers, one on each side of the entrance. The completed church and lots cost about $12,000. Due to its location, the society was familiarly known as the Noble Street Baptist Church.

In 1868, the Noble Street congregation established two mission schools in connection with the church school: the Sixth Street Mission (organized September 20, 1868), and the Union Avenue Mission (organized September 27, 1868).

The Union Baptist Church is within the Greenpoint Historical District, designated in 1982 by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.
         
George Jardine & Son
New York City (1864)
Mechanical action
1 manual, 9 stops, 9 ranks


This organ by George Jardine & Son was originally built for the Baptist Church in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It may be that this organ was installed in a Sunday School or Mission. At some point, the organ was acquired by Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, where it was known to be extant In 2006.
               
Manual – 56 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason [TC]
44
4
   Flute
56
8
   Montre [bass]
12
3
   Twelfth
56
8
   Stopped Diapason Treble [TC]
44
2
   Fifteenth
56
8
   Stopped Diapason Bass
12
8
   Trumpet [TC]
44
8
   Clariana
56
     Tremolo  
4
   Principal
56
        
               
Pedal – 25 notes
16
   Bourdon
25
        
               
Coupler
    Manual to Pedal          
           
Unknown Builder
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 14 stops, 16 ranks
               
Great Organ (Manual I)
8
   Open Diapason  
2
   Fifteenth  
8
   Stop'd Diapason       Cornet (3 ranks) [TF]  
4
   Principal  
8
   Trumpet [TC]  
2 2/3
   Twelfth          
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – enclosed
8
   Open Diapason  
8
   Hautboy  
8
   Dulciana          
8
   Stop'd Diapason       Choir Bass (unenclosed)  
4
   Principal  
8
   Stop'd Diapason  
4
   Flute  
4
   Principal  
               
Pedal Organ
16
   "Pedal" stop – probably Open Diapason or Bourdon  
               
Mechanicals
    Manual Coupler   Great Silent
    Pedal & Great Coupler    
    Pedal & Swell Coupler   Bellows Signal
           
Sources:
     "New Baptist Church," The New York Times (Nov 22, 1862).
     Ogasapian, John. Organ Building in New York City: 1700-1900. Braintree: The Organ Literature Foundation, 1977.
     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, Vol. 3. Brooklyn: pub. by subscription, 1863.
     Trupiano, Larry. Specifications of George Jardine & Son organ (1864).
     Trupiano, Larry. Specifications of Unknown Builder organ.

Illustration:
     Zastocki, Jolanta. Exterior.