The Interchurch Center
475 Riverside Drive at 120th Street
New York, N.Y. 10115
http://www.interchurch-center.org


Chapel


Organ Specifications:
► III/29 Klais Orgelbau, Op. 1851 (2007) – Chancel
► III/37 Austin Organs Inc. (1982); rebuild & console
► II/8 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 9780 (1963) – Chancel
► III/32 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 9370 (1960) – Gallery



The Interchurch Center was the vision of many who for decades desired a tangible symbol of the growing unity among Protestant and Orthodox communions in America. Groundbreaking took place on November 17, 1957, on land donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who also gave $2,000,000 toward the building fund and another $575,000 for the limestone exterior. Over $1,000,000 more was provided by foundations and interested friends for the Chapel, lounge, Treasure Room, lobbies and meeting rooms. On October 12, 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower laid the cornerstone for the 19-story building, which was to include offices for interdenominational agencies. The completed building was dedicated on May 29, 1960.

Chapel of the Interchurch Center - New York City  
The Chapel of The Interchurch Center, designed by Frederick Dunn and Associated Architects of St. Louis, has a moving simplicity of design, keynoted by walls of white rose brick that convey a feeling of serenity and worship. Above the altar table of teak wood hangs a gilded stylized Chi Rho, the ancient Greek symbol for the Christ, combining the first two letters of the Greek word Christos. The white rose brick wall behind the altar is highlighted by thin lines of gold mosaic. At the left of the chancel is an unusual window of translucent English alabaster, measuring 22 feet by 23 feet and backlighted to bring out its bronze and gold beauty. Teakwood is used throughout the chapel, which can accomodate 400.
           
  Johannes Klais Organ, Op. 1851 (2007) in the Interchurch Center - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Johannes Klais Orgelbau GmbH
Bonn, Germany – Opus 1851 (2007)
Mechanical key action
Electric stop action
3 manuals, 22 stops, 29 ranks








The three-manual organ in the Interchurch Center Chapel was built by Johannes Klais Orgelbau of Bonn, Germany, and installed in 2007. So as not to alter the appearance of the chancel, the new organ was installed in the existing case designed several years earlier by architect Gerald Allen. The attached console employs mechanical key action, and electric stop action equipped with a multi-level setter combination system. Behind the lower case are the trackers from the console, with the blower and reservoir located to the right of the console mechanics. A five-section facade is comprised of pipes from the Great Praesant 8' that mask the twin chests of the Great and Pedal divisions. The two other manual divisions are enclosed in swell boxes against the wall. Outside the case, on the right side, are the lowest eight pipes of the Pedal Subbass 16', which are not stopped as one would expect, but are of Haskell construction with a second stopped tube inside the body. The organ was dedicated on October 17, 2007 during a noonday service, and was presented in a recital given by Martin Jean that evening.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
16
   Bourdon/Quintaton
61
2 2/3
   Mixtur IV ranks
244
8
   Praestant
61
2 2/3
   Cornet III ranks
183
8
   Gedackt
61
     Tremulant  
4
   Octave
61
        
               
Solo Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Holzflöte
61
2
   Mixtur III-V ranks
269
4
   Principal
61
8
   Trompette
61
2
   Waldflöte
61
     Tremulant  
1 1/3
   Larigot
61
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Bordun
61
4
   Flûte octaviante
61
8
   Salicional
61
8
   Hautbois
61
8
   Unda Maris (TC)
49
     Tremulant  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Subbass
32
4
   Solo Octave
32
16
   Bourdon
GT
16
   Posaune
32
8
   Flûte [GT Praestant]
GT
        
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Solo to Great
    Solo to Pedal   Swell to Solo
    Swell to Pedal   Swell to Solo Suboctave
    Swell to Pedal Superoctave   Swell to Solo Superoctave
    Swell to Great   Swell Suboctave
    Swell to Great Suboctave   Swell Superoctave
    Swell to Great Superoctave    
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Solo Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (toe)
Full Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb & toe)
  Piston 0 – Cancel
  Piston S – Set
               
Reversibles
    Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Solo to Great (thumb)
    Positiv to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Swell to Solo (thumb)
    Swell to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Tutti (thumb & toe)
    Swell to Great (thumb)    
               
Piston Sequencer & Memory Controls
    > (Next) – 6 thumb, 1 toe   << (thumb) – Memory Group Down
    < (Prev) – 1 thumb   >> (thumb) – Memory Group Up
               
Expression
    Balanced Pedal – Solo Organ      
    Balanced Pedal – Swell Organ      
               
Johannes Klais Organ, Op. 1851 (2007) in the Interchurch Center - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
  
Johannes Klais Organ, Op. 1851 (2007) in the Interchurch Center - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
  
Johannes Klais Organ, Op. 1851 (2007) in the Interchurch Center - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
         
Johannes Klais Organ, Op. 1851 (2007) in the Interchurch Center - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
           
Austin Organs Inc.
Hartford, Conn. (1982)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 40 registers, 29 stops, 37 ranks



In 1982, the existing M.P. Möller organs were modified by Austin Organs or Hartford, Conn. Austin installed several new ranks of pipes, and provided a new three-manual Austin console at the front of the chapel that controlled both organs.

In the early 2000s, the Chancel organ was removed, in anticipation of plans to place a new tracker instrument by Klais Orgelbau in the front of the chapel. The Gallery organ was donated to Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church in Manhattan.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
   Principal
61
     Fourniture IV ranks
244
8
   Bourdon
61
8
   Trompette *
61
4
   Octave
61
8
   Krummhorn *
61
4
   Spitzflöte *
61
     Tremulant  
2
   Fifteenth
61
        

     

     
Swell I Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Flauto Dolce *
68
8
   Trompette [1-12 half-length]
68
8
   Flute Celeste * (GG)
61
8
   Hautbois *
68
2
   Blockflöte
61
     Tremulant  
16
   Cor Anglais [bass 1/2 length]
68
        
               
Swell II Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Rohrflöte
68
4
   Prestant *
68
8
   Gambe
68
     Mixture III ranks
183
8
   Gambe Celeste
68
 
   Tremulant  

     

     
Positiv Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
   Gedeckt
61
1 3/5
   Terz *
61
4
   Koppelflöte
61
1
   Oktav
61
2 2/3
   Nasat *
61
     Zimbel III ranks *
183
2
   Prinzipal
61
        

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Principal [unit] *
68
2
   Octave *
—
16
   Sub Bass
32
     Grand Cornet II ranks
64
16
   Rohrflöte
SW II
     Cornet II ranks (ext.)
24
8
   Octave *
—
16
   Cor Anglais
SW I
8
   Rohrflöte
SW II
16
   Trompette * (ext. GT)
12
4
   Octave *
—
8
   Trompette *
GT
4
   Rohrflöte
SW II
4
   Trompette *
GT
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell II to Positiv 8', 4'
    Swell I to Pedal 8', 4'   Great to Positiv 8'
    Swell II to Pedal 8', 4'   Great to Swell 8'
    Positiv to Pedal 8'   Positiv to Swell 8'
    Swell I to Great 8', 4'   Great Unison Off
    Swell II to Great 8', 4'   Swell I 16', Unison Off, 4'
    Positiv to Great 16', 8'   Swell II 16', Unison Off, 4'
    Swell I to Positiv 8', 4'    
       
* new ranks by Austin (1982)
           
M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 9780 (1960) in the Chapel of the Interchurch Center - New York City
Chancel Organ

M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 9780 (1963)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 26 registers, 8 stops, 8 ranks







In 1963, a two-manual organ was built by M.P. Möller and installed in the chancel. It originally had a two-manual rocker-tablet console as shown in the photo. In the 1980s, the chancel console was replaced by a three-manual Austin console that controlled both Chancel and Gallery organs. In the early 2000s, the Chancel organ was removed in anticipation of the future installation of a mechanical-action instrument.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
16
   Bourdon
85
4
   Flute (fr. Bourdon)
—
8
   Principal
85
2
   Super Octave (fr. Principal)
—
8
   Rohrflöte (fr. Bourdon)
—
     Mixture II ranks
122
8
   Gemshorn
SW
     Tremulant  
4
   Octave (fr. Principal)
—
     Chimes  
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Gemshorn
73
16
   Trompette
85
8
   Gemshorn Celeste (TC)
49
8
   Trompette (fr. 16')
—
4
   Nachthorn
73
4
   Trompette (fr. 16')
—
4
   Gemshorn (fr. 8')
—
     Tremulant  
2
   Nachthorn (fr. 4')
—
        
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Bourdon
GT
4
   Rohrflöte
GT
8
   Principal
GT
     Mixture II ranks
GT
8
   Rohrflöte
GT
16
   Trompette
SW
8
   Gemshorn
SW
8
   Trompette
SW
4
   Octave
GT
4
   Trompette
SW
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Great & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
               
           
  M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 9370 (1960) in the Chapel of the Interchurch Center - New York City
   
  M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 9370 (1960) in the Chapel of the Interchurch Center - New York City
Gallery Organ

M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 9370 (1960)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 36 registers, 26 stops, 32 ranks




The original organ in the Interchurch Center Chapel was built by M. P. Möller in 1960 and installed in the Gallery. Three divisions were visible at the gallery level: at the sides were the Pedal ranks, the Great division was mounted in gold leaf-lined cases on the rear wall, and the Positiv chest and pipes were mounted on the front edge of the balcony. The two enclosed divisions were on the second level and spoke through louvers that were visible near the ceiling.

M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 9370 (1960) in the Chapel of the Interchurch Center - New York City  
A movable three-manual drawknob console controlled the gallery organ.

In 1963, the Chancel organ, also by Möller, was installed with its own two-manual rocker-tablet console. In the 1980s, the organs were modified by Austin Organs Inc., and a new three-manual Austin console that controlled both organs was installed at the front of the chapel. In the early 2000s, the Chancel organ was removed, with plans to place a new tracker instrument by Klais Orgelbau in the front of the chapel. The Gallery organ was donated to Our Saviour's Atonement Lutheran Church in Manhattan.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
8
   Diapason
61
1 3/5
   Terz
61
8
   Bourdon
61
     Fourniture IV ranks
244
4
   Octave
61
16
   Fagot [1-42 half-length]
61
2 2/3
   Nasat
61
     Tremulant  
2
   Fifteenth
61
     Great Unison Off  

     

     
Swell I Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Gemshorn
68
     Tremulant  
8
   Gemshorn Celeste (GG)
61
     Swell I to Swell I 16'  
2
   Blockflöte
61
     Swell I Unison Off  
16
   Cor Anglais [half-length]
68
     Swell I to Swell I 4'  
8
   Trompette [1-12 half-length]
68
        
               
Swell II Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Rohrflöte
68
     Tremulant  
8
   Gambe
68
     Swell II to Swell II 16'  
8
   Gambe Celeste
68
     Swell II Unison Off  
4
   Nachthorn
68
     Swell II to Swell II 4'  
    Mixture III ranks
183
        

     

     
Positiv Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
   Gedeckt
61
     Tremulant  
4
   Koppelflöte
61
     Positiv to Positiv 16'  
4
   Prinzipal
61
     Positiv Unison Off  
1 1/3
   Larigot
61
     Positiv to Positiv 4'  
1
   Oktav
61
        

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Sub Bass
32
     Grand Cornet II ranks
64
16
   Rohrflöte
SW II
 
   Cornet II ranks (ext.)
24
8
   Spitzprinzipal
56
16
   Fagot
GT
8
   Rohrflöte
SW II
16
   Cor Anglais
SW I
4
   Spitzprinzipal (fr. 8')
—
8
   Fagot
GT
4
   Rohrflöte
SW II
4
   Fagot
GT
2
   Spitzprinzipal (fr. 8')
—
        
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Positiv to Great 16', 8'
    Swell I to Pedal 8', 4'   Great to Swell 8'
    Swell II to Pedal 8', 4'   Positiv to Swell 8'
    Positiv to Pedal 8'   Great to Positiv 8'
    Swell I to Great 8', 4'   Swell I to Positiv 8', 4'
    Swell II to Great 8', 4'   Swell II to Positiv 8', 4'
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Swell I Organ Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
Swell II Organ Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
Swell I and Swell II Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Positiv Organ Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Full Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb & toe)
  General Cancel (thumb)
  Set (thumb)
               
Reversibles
    Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Positiv to Pedal (thumb & toe)
    Swell I to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Sforzando (thumb & toe)
    Swell II to Pedal (thumb & toe)    
               
Expression
    Balanced Pedal – Swell I      
    Balanced Pedal – Swell II      
    Crescendo Pedal      
           
Sources:
     The American Organist (April 1961). Specifications of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 9370 (1960).
     "Dedication of the new Klais Organ, October 17, 2007," booklet published by the Interchurch Center.
     Graumann, Gesa. Details of Klais Orgelbau organ, Op. 1851 (2007).
     Interchurch Center web site: www.interchurch-center.org
     Lawless, Barrie. Specifications of Austin Organs rebuild (1982) of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 9370 (1960).
     Schuder, John F. Specifications of Klais Orgelbau organ, Op. 1851 (2007).
     Scofield, Jeff. Factory Specifications for M.P. Möller organ, Op. 9370 (1960).

Illustrations:
     The American Organist (April 1961). Console and close-up of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 9370 (1960).
     Lawson, Steven E. Chapel interior and Klais organ (2007).
     M.P. Möller, Inc. brochure for Op. 9370 (1960) and Op. 9780 (1963). Courtesy Jeff Scofield.