Hilborne L. Roosevelt
New York City – No. 39 (1878)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 28 stops, 33 ranks

This organ was built for St. Paul's Within the Walls Episcopal Church in Rome, Italy. Also known as the American Church in Rome, St. Paul's is notable for being the first Protestant church built in Rome, made possible by the Kingdom of Italy's capture of Rome from the Papacy in 1870. The church building was financed by American friends. George Edmund Street designed the Gothic Revival building that was completed in 1880.

Before the organ was shipped to Rome, it was set up in Irving Hall. Organ concerts were presented on June 3rd, 5th and 8th, 1878, to aid the Organ Fund of the church. Volunteering their services were organists Mr. Samuel P. Warren (Grace Church, New York), Mr. Geo. W. Morgan (Brooklyn Tabernacle), Mr. S. B. Whiteley (Zion Church, New York), and Mr. P. A. Schnecker (West Presbyterian Church, New York). They were assisted by Miss Maud Morgan, harp; Miss Emily Wynant, contralto; Mr. Eugene E. Oudin, baritone; Mr. Adolphe Sohst, basso; and Mr. J. Levy, cornet. The Programme has the following description:

In presenting to the American public for inspection this, his latest work, prior to its shipment to Italy, Mr. Roosevelt takes pleasure in calling attention, primarily, to the general plan of the same. Although not so large as some others of his construction, it will be found to embarce the characteristics and qualities which have contributed toward establishing his reputation artistically, as an Organ builder. The scheme has been laid out with especial regard to the peculiar nature of the Roman climate. The effect of the Sirocco winds on any but the best seasoned woods made it necessary that great care should be taken in the choir of materials used. In the construction of the instrument also, the aim has been to have the mechanism as simple and free of intricacy as possible, so that in its far-off location little or no trouble may be experienced in its setting up and adjustment. For the same reason no inconvenience in the future need be feared from the operation of atmospheric influence.
     Entirely free of the pneumatic action, the touch is nevertheless very easy, whilst the immediate connection of keys and soundboards, renders it prompt and agreeable.
     The tone will be found full, round and pure. In the voicing of the individual stops, regard has been had to their character singly, as well as to their place in the aggregate tone mass; before all, however, to the size of the church to which the instrument is going, and its situation therein. For its number of stops the builder believes it to be at once the richest and most powerful of his manufacture up to the present time.