Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
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Church of the Holy Trinity
(Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)

3 West 65th Street at Central Park West
New York, N.Y. 10003
http://www.holytrinitynyc.org


Organ Specifications:
3 West 65th Street at Central Park West (since 1904)
► II/20 Paul Fritts & Co., Op. 16 (1994); installed (2011)
► I/3 Vladimir Sobatka (2007) – Positiv
► III/73 Robert M. Turner Organs (1976)
► I/3 Robert M. Turner Organs (1974) – Portativ
► III/46 Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co., Op. 785-B (1962)
► III/30 Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co., Op. 785-A (1951)
► III/30 Skinner Organ Company, Op. 785 (1929)
► III/29 Skinner & Cole Organ Co., Op. 113 (1903)
47 West 21st Street near Sixth Avenue (1868-1904)
• I/12 William H. Davis (or Ferris & Stuart, 1862)


21st Street Building - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church)  
47 West 21st Street (1868-1902)  
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity was founded in 1868 by a group that split from St. James Lutheran Church. At the time, the majority of Lutherans in New York City were German, but Holy Trinity was one of a very few English-speaking Lutheran congregations. Holy Trinity's first church was at 47 West 21st Street, in the edifice built in 1836 for St. Paul's Reformed Dutch Church. The society remained at this location until 1904.

  Early Photo - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church)
The present Gothic Revival church was designed by Schickel & Ditmars and built from 1902–04. Holy Trinity Church is within the "Upper West Side/Central Park West Historic District", as designated in 1990 by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission.

Holy Trinity is widely known for its Bach Vespers series, begun in 1968 by then-organist John Weaver, the first instance in America where the cantatas of Bach could be heard on their appointed day in the context of the liturgical calendar. Cantatas, as well as other appropriate music, are performed by the professional Bach Choir and Bach Players from late Fall through Easter.


Early Photo - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church)

 

Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
1904 interior of present building
 
2005 interior of present building
         
  Paul Fritts & Co. organ, Op. 16 (1994) in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Paul Fritts & Company
Tacoma, Wash. – Opus 16 (1994); installed (2011)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 20 stops, 20 ranks


The mechanical-action organ in the gallery was built in 1994 by Paul Fritts & Company of Tacoma, Wash., for Bethany Lutheran Church in Tulsa, Okla. After Bethany closed their doors in August 2011, the organ was reclaimed by Paul Fritts, who then transported the instrument to New York City. Holy Trinity Church has secured a long-term lease on the organ, with plans to commission a larger Fritts instrument in the future.

The inaugural recital was played by Joan Lippincott on December 6, 2011. Ms. Lippincott was organist and choirmaster of Holy Trinity Lutheran from 1962-64, after which she was on the faculty of Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Princeton, N.J., for many years.

Paul Fritts & Co. organ, Op. 16 (1994) in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)   Paul Fritts & Co. organ, Op. 16 (1994) in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
               
Manual I – 58 notes
16
  Quintadena
58
    Nasat/Cornet II ranks
116
8
  Principal
58
2
   Octave
58
8
  Rohrflöte
58
     Mixture IV ranks
232
4
   Octave
58
8
   Trompet
58

     

     
Manual II – 58 notes
8
  Rohrflöte *
—
2
   Waldflöte
58
8
  Violdigamba
58
1 1/3
  Sifflöte
58
4
   Spitzflöte
58
8
   Dulcian
58

     

     
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
  Subbaß
30
4
   Octave *
—
8
   Principal
30
16
  Posaune
30
8
   Gedackt *
—
8
   Trompet *
—
               
           
* Transmissions
Couplers
    Manual II to Manual I    
    Manual I to Pedal    
    Manual II to Pedal    
         
 
Vladimir Sobatka Positiv Organ (2007) in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - New York City
Vladimir Sobatka
Olomouc, Czech Republic (2007)
Mechanical action
1 manual, 3 stops, 3 ranks



The positiv organ, built by Vladimir Sobatka of the Czech Republic in 2007, is comprised of three stops: flute copula 8’ and 4’, and principal 4’. Its case is made of natural oak (to match the woodwork in the nave); the keys are walnut, with accidentals of maple. The mechanical action organ plays at A= 390, 415, and 440, allowing it to function with both modern and early instruments. Dedicated on Reformation Sunday, October 28, 2007, and coinciding with the beginning of the Bach Vespers 40th Anniversary season, the positiv will be used to a large extent in the church's Bach Vespers series for the presentation of Bach cantatas and other works.
               
Manual (51 notes)
8
   Flute copula
51
        
4
   Flute copula
51
        
4
   Principal
51
        
           
 
Ernest M. Skinner Organ Case (1903) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
   
  Robert M. Turner Organ (1976) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
Robert M. Turner Organs
Hacienda Heights, Calif. (1976)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 71 registers, 54 stops, 73 ranks






In 1976, the gallery organ was extensively rebuilt by Robert M. Turner of Hacienda Heights, Calif. Turner retained the 1903 Skinner organ case and reworked many pipes from Ernest M. Skinner's organs of 1903 and 1929, and Aeolian-Skinner's work done in 1951 and 1962. The organ was also revoiced to play on a lower wind pressure. Turner provided all new playing action, new principal choruses and reeds, an independent pedal division, and a new movable drawknob console. By the late 2000s, the organ had deteriorated to the point that another rebuilding was necessary. Ultimately, the church decided to replace the organ with a second-hand instrument by Paul Fritts.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
16
  Bourdon
61
1 1/3
   Cornet III ranks (TC)
147
8
  Principal
61
1 1/3
  Mixture IV-V ranks
293
8
  Flûte Harmonique
61
16
   Posaune
61
8
  Bourdon
61
8
   Trompette
61
4
  Spitzflöte
61
4
   Clairon
61
4
  Octave
61
    Tremulant  
4
  Koppelflöte
61
    Great Unison Off  
2
  Super Octave
61
8
  Trompette en chamade 
61
2
   Spitzflöte
61
        

     

     
Positif Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Principal
61
1 3/5
  Tierce
61
8
  Holzgedeckt
61
1 1/3
  Larigot
61
8
  Dulciana
61
1
  Sifflöte
61
8
  Unda Maris (TC)
49
1
  Scharf V ranks
305
4
  Principal
61
8
  Trompette
61
4
  Spillflöte
61
8
  Cromorne
61
2 2/3
  Nazard
61
    Tremulant  
2
  Octave
61
    Positif Unison Off  
2
  Blockflöte
61
8
  Trompette en chamade 
GT

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Gedeckt Bass
61
2
  Flûte Douce (fr. 8')
—
8
  Viola
61
1 1/3
  Mixture III-IV ranks
232
8
  Viola Céleste
61
1/3
  Cymbel III ranks
183
8
  Gedeckt
61
16
  Basson
73
8
  Flûte Douce
85
8
  Trompette
61
8
  Flûte Céleste (TC)
73
8
  Basson-Hautbois (fr. 16')
—
4
  Principal
61
8
  Voix Humaine
61
4
  Rohrflöte
61
4
  Clairon
61
4
  Flûte Douce (fr. 8')
—
     Tremulant  
4
  Flûte Céleste (fr. 8')
—
     Swell Unison Off  
2
  Octave
61
8
   Trompette en chamade 
GT

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
  Untersatz (ext. Subbass)
12
32
  Basson *
SW
16
  Principal
32
16
  Bombarde
32
16
  Subbass
32
16
  Posaune
56
16
  Gedeckt Bass
SW
16
  Basson
SW
8
  Principal
32
8
  Trompette (fr. Posaune)
—
8
  Pommer
32
8
  Basson/Hautbois
SW
8
  Gedeckt
SW
4
  Clairon (fr. Posaune)
—
4
  Octave
32
4
  Hautbois
SW
4
  Nachthorn
44
8
  Trompette en chamade
GT
2
  Nachthorn (fr. 4')
—
 
 
* 1-12 Basse de Cornet
2
  Mixture V ranks
155
     
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Positif to Great
    Swell to Pedal   Great to Positif
    Positif to Pedal   Swell to Positif
    Swell to Great    
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 0-1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 0-1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Positif Organ Pistons 0-1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 0-1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb & toe)
General Pistons 0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 (thumb & toe)
  General Cancel (thumb)
  Setter (thumb)
               
Reversibles
    Swell to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Great to Positif (thumb)
    Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Swell to Positif (thumb)
    Positif to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Tutti I (thumb & toe)
    Swell to Great (thumb)   Tutti II (thumb & toe)
               
Expression
    Balanced Swell Pedal      
    Balanced Positif Pedal      
    Crescendo Pedal      
               
   

Robert M. Turner Organ (1976) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)

 
Robert M. Turner Organ (1976) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
 
Robert M. Turner Organ (1976) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
     
Robert M. Turner Organ (1976) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)   Robert M. Turner Organ (1976) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
           
  Robert M. Turner Portativ Organ (1974) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
   
  Robert M. Turner Portativ Organ (1974) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
Robert M. Turner Organs
Hacienda Heights, Calif. (1974)
Direct-electric action
1 manual, 3 stops, 3 ranks




In 1974, Robert M. Turner built a portativ organ that had electric action and three stops. Turner would later rebuild the gallery organ in 1976. This organ was replaced by a new instrument built by Vladimir Sobatka in 2007.


Manual – 61 notes
8
  Gedeckt
61
4
  Rohrflöte
61
2
  Prinzipal
61
           
  Ernest M. Skinner Organ Case (1903) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 785-B (1962)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 46 registers, 33 stops, 46 ranks




In 1962, the organ was rebuilt and enlarged by the Aeolian-Skinner Company as Op. 785-B. Aeolian-Skinner also installed a new three-manual drawknob console at this time.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
  Principal
61
  Fourniture IV ranks
244
8
  Bourdon
61
8
   Trompette Harmonique
CH
4
  Octave
61
4
   Clarion Harmonique
CH
4
  Zauberflöte
61
  Chimes
2
  Fifteenth
61

   

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Gedeckt
73
2
  Octavin
61
8
  Rohrflöte
73
    Mixture III-V ranks
269
8
  Viola
73
16
  Fagot
73
8
  Viola Céleste
73
8
  Trompette
73
8
  Flute Celeste II ranks
134
4
  Clarion
73
4
  Prestant
73
    Tremulant  
4
  Flute Triangulaire
73
       

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Cor de Nuit
73
1 3/5
  Tierce
61
8
  Dulciana
73
1 1/3
  Larigot
61
8
  Unda Maris (TC)
61
    Acuta IV ranks
244
4
  Koppelflöte
61
8
  Krummhorn
73
2 2/3
  Nazard
61
    Tremulant  
2
  Blockflöte
61
8
  Trompette Harmonique
73

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
  Bourdon
68
4
   Flöte (fr. 32')
—
16
  Kontrabass
44
2
  Blockflöte
CH
16
  Bourdon (fr. 32')
—
     Mixture III ranks
96
16
  Gedeckt
SW
16
  Bombarde (ext. CH)
12
8
  Principal (Kontrabass)
—
16
  Fagot
SW
8
  Bourdon (fr. 32')
—
8
  Krummhorn
CH
8
  Gedeckt
SW
4
  Krummhorn
CH
4
  Choralbass
32
    Chimes
GT
           
Skinner Organ Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 785 (1929)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 32 registers, 26 stops, 30 ranks

Showing tonal changes by
Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 785-A (1951)


In 1929, the Skinner Organ Company installed a new organ, Op. 785, with electro-pneumatic action. It seems likely that some of the pipes from the 1903 organ were incorporated into the new instrument. The Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, successor to the Skinner Organ Company, returned in 1951 to make tonal replacements (Op. 785-A).
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Bourdon [ext. Ped.]
17
    Grave Mixture II ranks
122
8
  1st Diapason [rep. by Bourdon *]
61
8
   Tromba +
61
8
  2nd Diapason
61
8
   French Horn +
61
8
  Clarabella
61
  Chimes  
4
  Octave
61

 
+ enclosed with Choir

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon
73
4
  Flute Triangulaire
73
8
  Diapason [rep. by Viola *]
73
    Mixture III ranks
183
8
  Rohrflöte
73
8
  Cornopean [rep. by Trompette *]
73
8
  Salicional
73
8
  Oboe d'Amore
73
8
  Voix Celeste
73
8
  Vox Humana
73
8
  Flute Celeste II ranks
134
    Tremolo  
8
  Aeoline
73
   
* Op. 785-A

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Flute
73
8
  Clarinet
73
8
  Dulciana
73
  Tremolo  
8
  Unda Maris (TC)
61
    Harp  
4
  Flute
73
  Celesta  

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
  Open Diapason
44
8
  Gedeckt (fr. Bourdon)
—
16
  Bourdon
44
8
   Still Gedeckt
SW
16
  Echo Lieblich
SW
16
  Trombone (ext. GT)
12
8
  Octave (fr. Op. Diap.)
—
  Chimes
GT
           
  Ernest M. Skinner Organ Case (1903) - Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity - New York City
E.M. Skinner Organ Case
Skinner & Cole Organ Company
The Ernest M. Skinner Co.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 113 (1903)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 38 registers, 29 stops, 29 ranks





The contract for the original organ in the present building was awarded to the Skinner & Cole Organ Co., reflecting a short-lived partnership between Ernest M. Skinner and James Cole which lasted only a few months during 1903. Skinner bought the contract when the partnership was dissolved (in the latter part of 1903), and this organ was the first opus number listed in the Skinner files.

Skinner had planned to use tubular-pneumatic action for this organ, but instead employed electro-pneumatic action. The combination action was "blind" in that it did not visibly move stops. Both the Swell and Choir divisions were enclosed in one swell box.

The organ was dedicated by Mr. Gaston Dethier, organist, assisted by Mrs. W. W. Niles, soprano, and Mr. Harry McClaskey, tenor, on Thursday evening, March 2, 1905.
 
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Diapason
61
8
  Erzaehler
61
8
  First Diapason
61
4
  Octave
61
8
  Second Diapason
61
4
  Flute
61
8
  Gross Floete
61
8
  Cornopean
SW

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon
61
4
  Flauto Traverso
61
8
  Diapason
61
4
  Violina
61
8
  Concert Flute
61
2
  Piccolo Harmonique
61
8
  Salicional
61
16
  Fagotto
61
8
  Voix Celestes
61
8
  Cornopean
73
8
  Aeoline
61
8
  Oboe
61
8
  Gedackt
61
    Tremolo  

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed with Swell
8
  Violin Diapason
61
4
  Violina
SW
8
  Melodia
61
2
  Flautino
61
8
  Dulciana
61
8
  Clarinet
61
8
  Dulcet
61
8
  Oboe
SW
8
  Aeoline
SW
     Tremolo  
4
  Wald Floete [Flute on contract]
61
       

     

     
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
   Diapason
42
8
   Bass Flute (fr. Diapason)
—
16
  Bourdon
42
8
  Gedackt (fr. Bourdon)
—
16
  Gedackt
SW
8
  'Cello *
SW
10 2/3
  Quinte
—
   
* Salicional + Voix Celestes
               
Couplers (operated by tilting tablets)
    Great to Pedal 8'   Great to Swell 8'
    Swell to Pedal 8'   Swell to Choir 8'
    Choir to Pedal 8'   Great to Great 16', 4'
    Swell to Great 8'   Swell to Swell 16', 4'
    Choir to Great 16', 8'   Choir to Choir 16'
               
Combinations
   
Swell and Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-0 (thumb)
Great and Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-0 (thumb)
Choir and Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4-0 (thumb)
  General Release
  Pedal Release
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Swell and Choir Pedal   Great to Pedal Reversible
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal    
           
Organ in previous church located at 47 West 21st Street:

William H. Davis or Ferris & Stuart
New York City (1862)
Mechanical action
1 manual, 12 stops


This organ was built for St. Paul's Dutch Reformed Church and may have been used when Holy Trinity Lutheran Church took over the building. According to the American Musical Directory of 1861, the organ in the Twenty-first Street Reformed Church had an organ with "1 bank keys, 12 stops, 1½ octaves pedals. Built by W. H. Davis." Other sources show that this organ was built in 1862 by Ferris & Stuart of New York City. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
Sources:
     Aeolian-Skinner Archives website: http://aeolianskinner.organsociety.org/
     American Musical Directory. New York: Thomas Hutchinson, 1861.
     Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity website: http://www.bachvespersnyc.org/
     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.
     Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     Haberstroh, Richard. The German Churches of Metropolitan New York: A Research Guide. New York: The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, 2000.
     Holden, Dorothy. The Life and Work of Ernest M. Skinner. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1987.
     Holy Trinity Lutheran Church website: http://www.holytrinitynyc.org
     Kinzey, Allen. Shop notes for Ernest M. Skinner & Co. organ, Op. 113 (1903).
     Kinzey, Allen, and Sand Lawn. E.M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List (New Revised Edition). Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.
     "Organ Recital by Mr. Gaston Dethier," dedication program (Mar. 2, 1905). Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
     Paul Fritts & Company website: http://www.frittsorgan.com/
     "Stop, Open and Reed – a Periodical Presentation of Pipe Organ Progress". Boston: Skinner Organ Company, 1922-1927.
     Trupiano, Larry. Electronic correspondence (July 7, 2010) regarding action and combinations of Ernest M. Skinner & Co. organ, Op. 113 (1903).

Illustrations:
     Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity website. Sobatka Positiv (2007)
     Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Archives
     Lawson, Steven E. Paul Fritts & Company organ, Op. 16 (1994).
     Rust, John. Interior; Robert M. Turner gallery organ; Robert M. Turner portativ organ.