Olivet Memorial Church
(Non-denominational)

59 East Second Street
New York, N.Y. 10003

Organ Specifications:
Second building (1891-1942)
► II/15 Aeolian-Votey, Op. 1663 (1928)
• IV/43 George Jardine & Son (1872) – moved from St. Paul M. E. Church (1892)
First building (1867-1891)
• unknown
         
Aeolian-Votey Company
New York City – Opus 1663 (1928)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 27 stops, 15 ranks



The Contract (Jan. 4, 1928) between The Aeolian Company and the New York City Mission Society shows that Aeolian agreed to build, deliver and install an Aeolian-Votey pipe organ with the following specification for a consideration of $9,000. Aeolian stated that the organ would be installed on or about April 8, 1928. For this organ, Aeolian provided an English-type two-manual console with stop knobs and tilting tablets, and an A.G.O. pattern pedalboard. Provisions were made in the console for the future addition of two stops. No case or screen was included. It was agreed that the existing organ would be removed by The Aeolian Company without charge, and become their property.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason
73
4
   Octave
73
8
   Clarabella (wood)
73
4
   Harmonic Flute
73
8
   Gamba
73
8
   Tuba
73
8
   Dulciana
73
   
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Lieblich Gedeckt (wood) [unit]
97
2 2/3
  Nazard [from L. Ged.]
—
8
   Horn Diapason
73
2
   Piccolo [from L. Ged.]
—
8
   Stopped Flute [from L. Ged.]
—
1 3/5
  Tierce [from L. Ged.]
—
8
   Salicional
73
8
   Corno d'Amour
73
8
   Voix Celeste
73
8
   Orchestral Oboe (Syn.)
—
8
   Aeoline
73
8
   Vox Humana
61
4
   Flute d'Amour [from L. Ged.]
—
  Tremolo
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes, enclosed
32
   Acoustic Bass
—
16
   Contra Gamba [ext. GT]
12
16
   Open Diapason (w & m)
32
8
   Flute [Clarabella]
GT
16
   Bourdon [ext. GT]
12
4
   Flute [Harmonic Flute]
GT
16
   Lieblich Gedeckt
SW
   
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Great 16', 8' off, 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell 16', 8' off, 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'    
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Great & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4-0 (thumb) Ped. Combs. to Great On/Off
Swell & Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4-0 (thumb) Ped. Combs. to Swell On/Off
  Setter Piston (thumb)  
               
Accessories
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Great   Indicator lights for Sforz, et al
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell   Action Current Indicator
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal   Crescendo Indicating Lights
    Full Organ Pedal (Reversible)   Signal Button
    Great to Pedal (Reversible)   Signal Light
         
George Jardine & Son
New York City (1872)
Mechanical action
4 manuals, 43 stops


The first organ in the second building was originally built in 1858 for St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church, located on Fourth Avenue at 22nd Street. In 1872, Jardine enlarged this organ by adding a fourth manual with six stops. The organ was enlarged again in 1881, as reported in The Musical Courier (Oct. 22, 1881): "Jardine & Son have recently renovated and improved the organ belonging to St. Paul's M. E. Church. The improvements include the addition of saxophone, and bells ... new action, and two wings to the case, making it sixteen feet wider."

The New Music Review reported that in 1892 the organ 'was moved to Olivet Memorial Church at 63 East 2nd Street, and the case went to the Jewish Temple in Los Angeles.' In fact, the organ case was installed at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.

Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
Sources:
     American Musical Directory. New York: Thomas Hutchinson, 1861.
     Dunlap, David W. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     The Musical Courier (Oct. 22, 1881). Article about rebuild and additions to Geo. Jardine & Son organ. Courtesy Martin R. Walsh and James Lewis.
     The New Music Review (Vol. 9, No. 106). Item about moving the Jardine organ to Olivet Memorial Church in New York City. Courtesy Larry Trupiano.

Illustration: