The Community Church of New York - New York City (Photo: Steven Lawson)
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The Community Church of New York
(Unitarian Universalist Association)

Metropolitan Synagogue of New York
(Reform Judaism)

40 East 35th Street
New York, N.Y. 10016
http://www.ccny.org

Organ Specifications:
40 East 35th Street (since 1948):
► III/31 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 8710 (1954)
► II/8 Austin Organs Inc., Op. 2552 (1972) – Chapel
Fourth Avenue at 34th Street (1867-1948):
► IV/50 Hutchings Organ Co., Op. 1680 (1912)
► II/29 J.H. & C.S. Odell & Co., Op. 64 (1868)
728 Broadway (1839-1867):
• II/20 E. & G.G. Hook, Op. 36 (1839); reb. H. Crabbe (1854)
Prince and Mercer Streets (1826-burned 1839)
• I/ Thomas Appleton (1828)
 
 
The Community Church of New York has a long history, having been established as the Second Congregational Unitarian Church in 1825. Its first building, designed by Josiah Brady, was located on Prince and Mercer Streets. The Greek Revival building (one of the earliest examples of that style in New York ) burned down a few years later, whereupon a new church was erected at 728 Broadway in 1839. Following the Civil War, the Church of the Messiah, as it was then known, moved uptown to Fourth Avenue and 34th Street; the Victorian Romanesque edifice was built in 1867 and designed by Carl Pfeiffer.

The Rev. John Haynes Holmes, pastor of the church from 1907-1949, was a founder of the NAACP and the ACLU. Holmes opposed both world wars, and joined with Rabbi Stephen S. Wise to bring charges against the admistration of Mayor James J. Walker, ultimately leading to the mayor's downfall. In 1919, The Community Church of New York, which had been called The Church of the Messiah since the 1830's, took its present name in 1919 when Dr. Holmes began to emphasize a wider community basis rather than a denominational one. Following Holmes' tenure, the Community Church played an active role in the merger between the Unitarians and Universalists in 1961. The Metropolitan Synagogue of New York began holding services in the building in 1959.

Construction on the present church building began in 1940, although it was not completed until 1948. The red-bricked International Style building, as designed by Magoon & Salo, features theater-style seating with unobstructed views of the podium, and has a large gallery in the rear and on one side. The chapel, auditorium and meeting rooms are located on the basement level, and the church owns several adjacent brownstones, some of which are used as Bed & Breakfast facilities.
 
Second Congregational Unitarian Church (1826), corner Prince and Mercer Streets - New York City (Photo: The Community Church of New York)
  
Church of the Messiah (1839), 728 Broadway, New York City (Photo: The Community Church of New York)
  
Church of the Messiah (1867) at Park Avenue and 35th Street, New York City (Photo: The Community Church of New York)
Second Congregational Unitarian Church
(1826-1839) – Prince and Mercer Streets
  
Church of the Messiah
728 Broadway at Waverly P.
  
Church of the Messiah
Fourth Avenue & 34th Street
 
 

M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 8710 (1954) at The Community Church of New York City (Photo: Steven Lawson)
M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 8710 (1954)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 37 registers, 27 stops, 31 ranks



The original organ in The Community Church was dedicated on October 17, 1954 as a tribute to Madeline Hosmer Holmes, wife of John Haynes Holmes. Einar Olsen of the Möller company and Jesse B. Walker, organist of the church, designed the organ, which is fully-enclosed in tall narrow chambers on either side of the platform. The Möller Factory Specification (April 22, 1954) states that Möller would provide a detached three-manual drawknob console on a movable platorm, and indicates the organ was to be completed by October 1, 1954.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed (5" wind pressure)
16
   Gemshorn
73
     Fourniture III ranks
183
8
   Diapason
61
     Tremolo  
8
   Hohlflöte
61
    
Chimes
preparation
8
   Gemshorn (fr. 16')
—
     Great 16'  
4
   Octave
61
     Great Unison
2
   Super Octave
61
     Great 4'  
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed (5" wind pressure)
16
   Gedeckt Bass
85
8
   Trompette
73
8
   Geigen Principal
73
8
   Oboe
73
8
   Rohrflöte (fr. 16')
—
4
   Clarion
73
8
   Viole de Gamba
73
     Tremolo  
8
   Gambe Celeste
73
     Swell 16'  
4
   Spitzprincipal
73
    

Swell Unison

4
   Flute Triangulaire
73
     Swell 4'  
    Plein Jeu III ranks
183
        
 
      
 
      
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed (5" wind pressure)
8
   Viola
73
2
   Blockflöte
61
8
   Cor de Nuit
73
8
   Clarinet
73
8
   Dulciana
73
     Tremolo  
8
   Unda Maris (TC)
61
     Choir 16'  
4
   Koppelflöte
73
    

Choir Unison

2 2/3
   Rohrnazard
61
     Choir 4'  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes (5" and 6" wind pressure)
16
   Contrebasse
56
8
   Rohrflöte
SW
16
   Bourdon
56
4
   Choralbasse (fr. Contrebasse)
—
16
   Gemshorn
GT
4
   Flute (fr. 16')
—
16
   Gedeckt Bass
SW
16
   Posaune
56
8
   Principal (fr. Contrebasse)
—
8
   Trumpet (fr. Posaune)
—
8
   Bourdon (fr. 16')
—
4
   Clarion (fr. Posaune)
—
               
>Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Entire Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb; 1-6 dup. by toe)
  General Cancel (thumb)
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Great-Choir Organ
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell Organ
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal
    Sforzando Reversible (thumb & toe)
    Great to Pedal Reversible (thumb & toe)
    Swell to Pedal Reversible (thumb & toe)
    Choir to Pedal Reversible (thumb & toe)
               
Accessories
    Expression Indicator (light)   Sforzando Indicator (light)
    Crescendo Indicator (light)   Action Current Indicator (light)
               
M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 8710 (1954) at The Community Church of New York City (Photo: Steven Lawson)   M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 8710 (1954) at The Community Church of New York City (Photo: Steven Lawson)   M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 8710 (1954) at The Community Church of New York City (Photo: Steven Lawson)
               
Austin Organ, Op. 2552 (1972) in the Chapel of the Community Church of New York - New York City
Organ in Chapel:

Austin Organs Inc.
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 2552 (1972)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 32 registers, 8 stops, 8 ranks


The organ in the chapel was built in 1972 by Austin Organs Inc. of Hartford, Conn. All of the pipes are in a single enclosure at one end of the room, while the two-manual console is at the opposite end..
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
16
   Bourdon  
2 2/3
   Gemshorn  
8
   Principal  
2
   Principal  
8
   Bourdon  
1 1/3
   Gemshorn  
8
   Gemshorn       Mixture III ranks  
4
   Principal  
8
   Fagot  
4
   Bourdon      
Chimes
preparation
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Bourdon  
2
   Gemshorn  
8
   Gemshorn       Scharf III ranks  
8
   Voix Celeste  
8
   Fagot  
4
   Principal       Tremolo  
4
   Bourdon       Harp  
 2 2/3
   Bourdon  
 
      
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Bourdon  
4
   Bourdon  
8
   Principal  
4
   Gemshorn  
8
   Bourdon  
2
   Principal  
8
   Gemshorn       Mixture III ranks  
5 1/3
   Bourdon  
8
   Fagot  
4
   Principal  
4
   Fagot

               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2 (thumb)
Entire Organ Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
               
Expression
    Balanced Swell Pedal      
    Crescendo Pedal      
               
Chapel of The Community Church of New York - New York City (Photo: Steven Lawson)   Austin Organ, Op. 2552 (1972) in the Chapel of the Community Church of New York - New York City
               
  George S. Hutchings Organ, Op. 1680 (1912) in Church of the Messiah - New York City
Organ in Church of the Messiah at Fourth Ave. & 34th St.:

Hutchings Organ Co.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1680 (1912)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 56 registers, 48 stops, 50 ranks







In 1912, the Hutchings Organ Co., of Boston, was awarded a $20,000 contract to replace the 1868 Odell organ with an entirely new organ having four manuals. The following specifications were announced in The Diapason (Mar. 1, 1912).
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, unenclosed
16
   Diapason
61
8
   Gemshorn
61
8
   First Diapason
61
4
   Octave
61
8
   Second Diapason
61
4
   Harmonic Flute
61
8
   Great Flute
61
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   Great Gamba
61
8
   Trumpet
61
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
61
4
   Traverse Flute
61
8
   Diapason
61
4
   Violina
61
8
   Stopped Flute
61
2
   Flautino
61
8
   Tibia Clausa
61
     Solo Mixture III ranks
183
8
   Viol d'Orchestre
61
8
   Cornopean
61
8
   Salicional
61
8
   Oboe
61
8
   Vox Celeste
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Aeoline
61
     Tremolo  
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Dulciana
61
4
   Fugara
61
8
   Violin Diapason
61
4
   Chimney Flute
61
8
   Concert Flute
61
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Quintadena
61
8
   Clarinet
61
8
   Muted Viole
61
8
   Orchestral Oboe
61
8
   Dulciana
61
     Tremolo  
               
Orchestral Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, unenclosed
8
   Stentorphone
61
4
   Wald Flute
61
8
   Hohl Flute
61
8
   Tuba
61
8
   Great Gamba
61
        
               
Echo Organ (floating) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Gedackt
61
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Celestina
61
     Tremolo  
8
   Unda Maris
61
      
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Resultant
—
10 2/3
   Quint (fr. Bourdon)
—
16
   First Diapason
44
8
   Octave (fr. First Diap.)
—
16
   Second Diapason
GT
8
   Bass Flute (fr. Bourdon)
—
16
   Bourdon
44
8
   Violoncello (fr. Violone)
—
16
   Violone
44
8
   Dolce Flute
SW
16
   Dulciana
CH
        
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Swell to Solo
    Swell to Pedal   Great to Great 16', 4'
    Choir to Pedal   Swell to Swell 16', 4'
    Solo to Pedal   Solo to Solo 16', 4'
    Echo to Pedal   Echo to Echo 16', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Echo on, Solo off
    Choir to Great 16', 8'   Echo on, Great off
    Solo to Great 16', 8, 4'   Chimes to Great
    Swell to Choir   Chimes to Pedal
    Solo to Choir   Swell unison release
    Echo to Choir   Stop and coupler separation
               
Combinations
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-0 operating on Great and Pedal
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-5-0 operating on Swell and Pedal
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-0 operating on Choir and Pedal
    Pistons No. 1-2-0 operating on Solo and Pedal
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-4-0 operating on Entire Organ
    Pistons No. 1-2-3-0 operating on Echo
    General Release          
    Pedal Release          
               
Pedal Movements, etc.
    Balanced Swell Pedal   Great to Pedal reversible
    Balanced Choir Pedal   Sforzando (full organ)
    Balanced Echo Pedal   Crescendo indicator
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal   Combination indicator
        Combination recorder
         
    Seven Pedals – fixed combinations or duplicating such pistons as may be selected
               
Organ in Church of the Messiah at Fourth Avenue and 34th Street:

J.H. & C.S. Odell & Co.
New York City – Opus 64 (1868)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 26 stops, 29 ranks


The following stoplist was recorded by F.R. Webber, whose "Organ Scrapbooks" are in the possession of The Organ Historical Society Archives in Princeton, N.J. Webber commented that the organ "had a storm apparatus, representing thunder, rain, hail, wind. Also a chime of 34 bells. Opened 6-24-1868."
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
58
4
   Meliphon
58
8
   Grand Diapason
58
2 2/3
   Twelfth
58
8
   Keraulophon
58
2
   Fifteenth
58
8
   Dulce
58
     Sesquialtera 3 ranks
174
8
   Clarionet Flute
58
8
   Trumpet
58
4
   Flute Harmonique
58
    
Chimes
34 bells
4
   Princpal
58
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes, enclosed
16
   Double Diapason
46
4
   Flute a Cheminée
58
16
   Bourdon bass
12
2
   Fifteenth
58
8
   Open Diapason treble
46
     Cornet 2 ranks
116
8
   Open Diapason bass
12
8
   Cornopean
58
8
   Dulciana
58
8
   Hautbois (treble)
46
8
   St. Diapason treble
46
8
   Bassoon (bass)
12
8
   St. Diapason bass
12
8
   Vox Humana
58
4
   Principal
58
        
               
Pedal Organ – 25 notes
16
   Grand Double Open
25
8
   Violoncello
25
16
   Grand Bourdon
25
        
               
Organ in Church of the Messiah at 728 Broadway:

E. & G.G. Hook
Boston, Mass. – Opus 36 (1839); reb. Henry Crabbe (1854)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 20 registers


For the new Church of the Messiah, an organ was built in 1839 by E. & G.G. Hook of Boston. This organ was rebuilt in 1854 by Henry Crabb of Flatbush, L.I., who added an Open Diapason and a new Swell.

The 1861 American Musical DIrectory stated that this organ had "2 banks keys, 26 stops, 2 octaves pedals. Built by E. & G. G. Hook, of Boston, in 1844 [sic]; revoiced, with new open diapason and swell, by H. Crabbe, of Flatbush, in 1854." Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
               
Second Congregational Unitarian Church - New York City
Organ in Second Congregational Unitarian Church at Prince and Mercer Streets:

Thomas Appleton
Boston, Mass. (1830)
Mechanical action
1 manual


Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
               
Sources:
     American Musical Directory. New York: Thomas Hutchinson, 1861.
     Austin Organs, Inc. website: www.austinorgans.com
     The Community Church of New York website: www.ccny.org
     Dunlap, David W. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     "For Church of the Messiah," The Diapason (March 1, 1912). Specifications of George S. Hutchings Organ (1912). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001.
     Scofield, Jeff. Factory Specifications of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 8170 (1954).
     Speller, John. "Henry Crabb: An Ancient Tradition of Organbuilding Moves from Devonshire to New York," The Tracker (43:3:14, 1999).
     Van Pelt, William T., comp. The Hook Opus List, 1829-1916 in Facsimile. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1991.
     Webber, F.R. "Organ scrapbook" at Organ Historical Society Archives, Princeton, N.J. Specifications of J.H. & C.S. Odell organ, Op. 64 (1868). Courtesy Jonathan Bowen.

Illustrations:
     The Community Church of New York. Photos of previous church buildings.
     Hutchings Organ Company advertisement, The New Music Review (December 1912).
     Lawson, Steven E. Photos of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 8710 (1954); Austin Organ, Op. 2552 (1972).
     Trupiano, Larry. Exterior, Second Congregational Unitarian Church.