Rutgers Presbyterian Church

Rutgers Presbyterian Church

236 West 73rd Street at Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10023
http://www.rutgerschurch.com

Organ Specifications:
236 West 73rd Street (since 1926)
► IV/73 Southfield Organ Builders, Op. 66 (2005)
► IV/44 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 4276 (1926)
► II/6 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 4277 (1926) – Chapel
Broadway corner 73rd Street (1890-1926)
Church building (1890-1926)
► II/22 Frank Roosevelt, Op. 436 (1890)
Chapel building (1888-1926)
• unknown
90 Madison Avenue at 29th Street (1863-1888)
Second building (1873-1888)
• unknown. Ferris & Stuart moved?
First building (1863-1873) – orig. Lenox Chapel
► II/18 Ferris & Stuart (1870)
Rutgers and Henry Streets (1798-1863)
Second building (1842-1863) –now St. Teresa R.C. Church
•III/36 Thomas Robjohn (1845)
First building (1798-1842)
•unknown, if any

When the first Rutgers congregation dedicated its first sanctuary on the corner of Henry and Rutgers Streets in Lower Manhattan on May 13, 1798, that congregation and sanctuary were the third unit of the Collegiate Presbyterian Church of New York City. It was north and east of the previous two units: the Church on Wall Street, now First Presbyterian (founded in 1716) and the New Church, now Brick Presbyterian (founded in 1765) at Beekman and Ann Streets. It was built on a plot of ground donated by Colonel Henry Rutgers, and paid for by contributions from the members. The three units shared the services of a three-person ministerial team, of which the Reverend Dr. John Rodgers was senior pastor.

In 1809, each of these three units was separately incorporated, and the Reverend Dr. Philip Milledolar was assigned as pastor to the Rutgers Street Church. By 1830, during the pastorates of two successors, Rutgers had become the largest Presbyterian church in the denomination, with 1,157 members. The old frame church was replaced in 1843 with a large stone structure (still standing and in use as the Roman Catholic Church of St. Teresa of Avila). Because of the dynamic growth of the city and the profound demographic changes thereby brought about, the congregation decided in 1863 to move "uptown," taking over the Lenox Chapel at 29th and Madison, where a small, pastorless Presbyterian congregation was in residence. That group eventually became members of Rutgers, under the inspiring leadership of the Reverend Dr. John M. Krebs, who had been called to Rutgers in 1830 and spent his entire career there (1830-1867). Although the membership was now less than half of its all-time high (many additional Presbyterian churches having been opened in the city), the congregation, in 1873, demolished the Lenox Chapel and built an elaborate, expensive church on the spot.

Rutgers Presbyterian Church (1873-1888) - New York City (King's Handbook of New York, 1892)

Again, population changes, and the post-Civil War prosperity that transformed the church neighborhood into a largely business district, eroded the membership to an alarmingly low level. By 1884 the congregation was considering dissolution and the sale of the property. The church was closed for nine months. But a devoted core of officers and members invited the Rev. Dr. Robert Russell Booth (then at liberty and a charismatic presence) to head the church, which reopened at the end of January 1885. But the location of the church remained a hindrance to real growth, and in 1887 the congregation accepted the invitation of the Presbytery's Church Extension Committee to move to a newly opening section of the city at 73rd and Broadway. Through proceeds from the sale of the Madison Avenue property, a chapel was built in 1888 (approximately on the site of the present sanctuary), and a large church in the Romanesque style on the corner was dedicated in 1890.

Rutgers Presbyterian Church - NYC (Photo: John Rust)

At the new location and under the new leadership, the church flourished, as the Upper West Side underwent a building boom and acquired a considerable social cachet. By the time Rutgers celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1898, it had 386 members, many of whom were prominent in civic circles. With the arrival of the Reverend Dr. Daniel Russell in 1915 (he remained as pastor for 27 years) another period of growth and change began. In 1925, when the membership was 445, the existing plant was demolished and the present aggregation of sanctuary, church house and bank building was erected.

Console of Southfield organ, Op. 62 (2003) & Op. 66 (2005) in Rutgers Presbyterian Church - New York City (Photo: John Rust)

Southfield Organ Builders, Inc.
Springfield, Mass. – Opus 62 (2003), Opus 66 (2005)
Electro-pneumatic slider and unit action
Digital stops by Marshall and Ogletree
4 manuals, 87 registers, 61 stops, 73 ranks

Southfield Organ Builders of Springfield, Mass., built a new organ in Rutgers Presbyterian Church, installing it in two phases during 2003 and 2005. The four-manual organ has a total of 70 ranks, plus 3 digitals ranks by Marshall and Ogletree. Several ranks from the previous Möller organ, Op. 4276 (1926), were retained and revoiced, and the 1926 Möller drawknob console shell was refitted with upgraded controls and made movable. The new organ was dedicated by Ken Cowan on Sunday, May 22, 2005.

Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes

Dbl. Open Diapason *

1 1/3

Mixture IV ranks

244

Gemshorn

Cornet IV ranks (TC)

196

Open Diapason * (fr. 16')

—

Double Trumpet

Harmonic Flute *

Trumpet *

Doppelflute *

Tremolo

Gemshorn (fr. 16')

—

Great Unison Off

Octave *

Great 4'

Gemshorn (fr. 16')

—

Trompette en Chamade

ANT

Koppelflöte

MIDI on Great

Fifteenth

Zimbelstern

Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

Bourdon *

1 1/3

Larigot

Open Diapason

(1)

Plein Jeu IV ranks

244

Viola

(8)

Sesquialtera II ranks

122

Viola Celeste (TC)

Double Trumpet *

Stopped Diapason

French Trumpet *

Salicional *

Oboe *

Voix Celeste (TC) *

Vox Humana *

Flauto Dolce

Clarion *

Flute Celeste (TC)

Tremolo

Spitz Principal

Swell 16'

Rohrflöte

Swell Unison Off

Principal

Swell 4'

Flautino *

MIDI on Swell

Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

Double Dulciana *

1 3/5

Tierce

English Diapason *

Bassoon

Concert Flute *

English Trumpet

Gedeckt

Clarinet *

Dulciana * (fr. 16')

—

Rohr Schalmei

Unda Maris (TC) *

Tremolo

Principal

Harp (TC)

—

Spitzflöte

Celesta

49 bars

Octave Dulciana * (fr. 16')

—

Choir 16'

2 2/3

Nazard

Choir Unison Off

Octave

Choir 4'

Concert Piccolo *

MIDI on Choir

Antiphonal Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, partially enclosed

Principal * +

Vox Humana

Echo Flute *

Trompette en Chamade +

Muted Viol

Tremolo

Vox Angelica (TC)

Chimes

25 tubes

Octave + (fr. 8' Princ.)

—

Antiphonal Unison Off

Fern Flute * (fr. Echo Fl.)

—

Antiphonal 4'

Fifteenth +

MIDI on Antiphonal

+ unenclosed

Pedal Organ – 32 notes

Contre Diapason

digital

Choral Bass (fr. Dbl. O.D.)

—

Contre Bourdon

digital

Nachthorn

Double Open Diap. *

Gemshorn

Principal

2 2/3

Mixture III ranks

Bourdon *

Contre Bombarde

digital

Gemshorn

Trombone *

Lieblich Gedeckt

Double Trumpet

Double Dulciana

Bassoon

Antiphonal Bourdon

Tromba (fr. Trombone)

—

Diapason (fr. Dbl. O.D.)

—

Trumpet

Octave

Clarion (fr. Trombone)

—

Flute (fr. Bourdon)

—

Cremona

Still Gedeckt

MIDI on Pedal

* ranks rebuilt and revoiced from M.P. Möller organ, Op. 4276 (1926)

Couplers

Great to Pedal 8', 4'

Antiphonal to Great 8', 4'

Swell to Pedal 8', 4'

Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'

Choir to Pedal 8', 4'

Antiphonal to Choir 8'

Antiphonal to Pedal 8'

Choir/Great Manual Transfer

Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'

Tower Carillon

Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'

Antiphonal Carillon

Adjustable Combinations

Antiphonal Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Swell Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Great Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Choir Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Pedal Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb & toe)
Full Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 (thumb & toe)

Reversibles

Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)

Swell to Choir (thumb)

Swell to Pedal (thumb & toe)

Antiphonal to Choir (thumb)

Choir to Pedal (thumb & toe)

Full Organ (thumb & toe)

Antiphonal to Pedal (thumb & toe)

32' Contre Diapason (thumb)

Swell to Great (thumb & toe)

32' Contre Bourdon (thumb)

Choir to Great (thumb & toe)

32' Contre Bombarde (thumb)

Antiphonal to Great (thumb)

Expression

Balanced Swell Pedal

Balanced Antiphonal Pedal

Balanced Choir Pedal

Crescendo Pedal

Antiphonal and Chamade of Southfield organ, Op. 62 (2003) & Op. 66 (2005) in Rutgers Presbyterian Church - New York City (Photo: John Rust)

M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 4276 (1926)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 56 registers, 42 stops, 44 ranks

The original organ in the present sanctuary was built by M.P. Möller of Hagerstown, Md. Möller provided an organ case of plain white oak, and a four-manual drawknob console. Möller also reused most of the pipes from the 1890 Frank Roosevelt organ (Op. 436) that was in the previous church. In the contract dated March 18, 1925, is the following clause:

Party of the first part [Möller] agrees to build and finish the organ to the entire satisfaction and supervision of Mr. Edward Shippen Barnes, or any other expert named by party of the second part [Rutgers], and to construct the console so that the pistons operate the draw knobs and stop keys, noiselessly and instantaneously. The voicing is to be done to the entire satisfaction of said expert. Party of the first part will revoice or replace any set or sets of pipes if ncessary. It is also understood that quality and delivery date are to be the essence of this contract.

The organ was dedicated during the morning service on March 13, 1926.

In 1958, Möller rebuilt and releathered the organ as their Op. R-615. No tonal changes were made.

Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, partially enclosed

Open Diapason

Flute Harmonic + *

Open Diapason *

2 2/3

Twelfth + *

Open Diapason (fr. 16')

—

Fifteenth + *

Doppel Flute + *

Mixture III ranks + *

183

Melodia +

Tuba +

Octave + *

+ enclosed in separate swell box

Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed

Bourdon *

Gemshorn *

Open Diapason

Wald Flute *

Violin Diapason *

Flautina *

Viole d'Orchestre

Double Trumpet

Salicional

French Trumpet

Vox Celeste

Oboe

Aeoline*

Vox Humana

Spitz Flute *

Clarion

Stopped Diapason *

Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed

Double Dulciana

Rohr Flute

English Open Diapason

Octave Dulciana (fr. 16')

—

Dulciana (fr. 16')

—

Concert Piccolo (Harm.)

Unda Maris (TC)

Clarinet (Orchestral)

Violoncello

Celesta (TC)

49 bars

Concert Flute

Celesta

—

Echo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed

Echo Flute

Violin (fr. 8')

—

Fern Flute (fr. 8')

—

Vox Humana

Muted Viole

Chimes [Deagan "A"]

25 tubes

Pedal Organ – 32 notes

Open Diapason *

Still Gedeckt

Second Open Diapason

Diapason (fr. 2nd O.D.)

—

Open Diapason

Violoncello

Double Dulciana

Double Trumpet

Bourdon *

Trombone

Lieblich Gedeckt

Tromba

—

Flute (fr. Bourdon)

—

* ranks retained from Frank Roosevelt organ, Op. 436 (1890)

Couplers

Great to Pedal 8', 4'

Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'

Swell to Pedal 8', 4'

Swell 16', 4', Unison Off

Choir to Pedal 8'

Choir 16', 4', Unison Off

Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'

Echo on Great Off

Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'

Echo to Great

Mechanicals

Great Tremulant

Crescendo Indicator

Swell Tremulant

Sforzando Indicator

Choir Tremulant

Generator Indicator

Echo Tremulant

Adjustable Combination Pistons

Echo Organ	Pistons 1-2-3 & 0 (thumb)
Swell Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 & 0 (thumb)
Great Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 & 0 (thumb) and Pedal ON & OFF
Choir Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 & 0 (thumb)
Pedal Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 & 0 (thumb)
Full Organ	Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 & 0 (thumb)

By Manual Pistons – Not Reversible

Pedal 16' off Pedal Stops

}

Under Great to right

Manual 16' off Manual Stops

}

Pedal Movements

Grand Crescendo Pedal

Balanced Expression Pedal affecting Great Organ

Balanced Expression Pedal affecting Swell Organ

Balanced Expression Pedal affecting Choir Organ

Balanced Expression Pedal affecting Echo Organ

Reversible Stud affecting Full Organ (Sforzando)

Reversible Stud affecting Great to Pedal Coupler

Reversible Stud affecting Swell to Pedal Coupler

Reversible Stud affecting Swell to Great 4' Coupler

Reversible Stud affecting Swell 4' Coupler

Reversible Stud off Great 16' Open

Chapel Organ M. P. Möller, Inc. Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 4277 (1926) Electro-pneumatic action 2 manuals, 10 registers, 6 stops, 6 ranks When the present church facilities were opened in 1926, the chapel contained a small organ built by M. P. Möller. The six ranks of pipes were voiced on 5" wind pressure, and were controlled by a two-manual stop-key console. All of the pipes were enclosed in one expression box.

Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8	Diapason Phonon	61	8	Echo Salicional	61
8	Stopped Diapason	61	4	Flute Traverso	61

Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8	Gedeckt	GT	8	Echo Salicional	GT
4	Flute	GT	8	Vox Celeste (TC)	49

Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16	Bourdon	44	8	Bass Flute (fr. Bourdon)	—

Couplers
	Great to Pedal 8'			Great 16', 4', Unison Separation
	Swell to Pedal 8'			Swell 16', 4', Unison Separation
	Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'

Mechanicals
	Tremulant
	Crescendo Indicator

Adjustable Combinations
	Pistons No. 1-2-3 affecting Great and Pedal Stops
	Pistons No. 1-2-3 affecting Swell and Pedal Stops

Pedal Movements
	Great to Pedal Reversible
	Balanced Swell Pedal
	Grand Crescendo Pedal

Organ in previous church on corner of Broadway and 73rd Street: Frank Roosevelt New York City – Opus 436 (1890) Tracker-pneumatic action 2 manuals, 20 stops, 22 ranks The organ in the previous church building, on the corner of Broadway and 73rd Street, was built in 1890 by Frank Roosevelt of New York City. Lynnwood Farnam (1885-1930), noted concert organist of the early 20th century, recorded the following specifications, which are a slight variation of Roosevelt's "Style Thirty-Five."

Great Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes
8	Open Diapason	58	4	Octave	58
8	Viola di Gamba	58	2 2/3	Twelfth *	58
8	Doppel Flute	58	2	Fifteenth *	58
8	Spitz Flute	58	8	Trumpet *	58
4	Hohl Flöte	58		* enclosed in Swell box

Swell Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes, enclosed
16	Bourdon (bass & treble) +	58	4	Flute Harmonique	58
8	Violin Diapason	58	2	Flautina	58
8	Dolce [1-12 grooved to St. Diap.]	46		Cornet, 3 ranks	174
8	Stopped Diapason	58	8	Oboe	58
4	Gemshorn	58		+ split knob

Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16	Open Wood	30
16	Bourdon	30

Couplers (over Swell manual)
	Great to Pedal			Swell to Great
	Swell to Pedal			Swell to Great Octaves

Mechanical Accessories
	Swell Tremulant			Eclipse Wind Indicator

Pedal Movements
	2 adjustable composition pedals to Great			Great to Pedal reversible coupler
	2 adjustable composition pedals to Swell			Full Organ Pedal
				Balanced Swell Pedal

Organ in previous church at 90 Madison Avenue: Ferris & Stuart New York City (1870) Mechanical action 2 manuals, 22 registers, 16 stops, 18 ranks

Great Organ (Manual I) – 56 notes
8	Open Diapason	56	4	Principal	56
8	Salicional	56	2	Fifteenth	56
8	Stop Diapason (wood)	56		Sesquialtera, 3 ranks	168
4	Flute Harmonic	56

Swell Organ (Manual II) – 56 notes, enclosed
16	Bourdon	56	8	Dulciana	56
8	Open Diapason	56	4	Principal	56
8	Stop Diapason, Bass (wood)	56	8	Hautbois	56
8	Stop Diapason, Treble (wood)	56	8	Vox Humana	56

Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16	Double Open Diapason (wood)	32
16	Bourdon (wood)	32

Couplers, or Mechanical Stops
	Great and Swell			Vox Tremulant
	Swell and Pedal			Bellows Alarm
	Great and Pedal

Organ in second church at Rutgers and Henry Streets:

Thomas Robjohn
New York City (1845)
Mechanical action
3 manuals, 36 stops

Although the specification has not yet been located, the 1861 American Musical Directory stated that this organ had "3 banks keys, 36 stops, 2 octaves pedals. Built by Thomas Robjohn." However, an article in the "City Intelligence" column of The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Nov. 13, 1845) provides a more detailed description:

As organ-trying seems to constitute an attractive feature in music nowadays, we feel bound to indicate to our readers those places where it may be heard in its greatest perfection. From the fact that this kind of entertainment is afforded without charge the audiences are particularly large. This evening, at 7 o'clock, the splendid instrument in the Rutgers street church, corner of Henry, in New York, is to undergo another trial. A brilliant array of talent will be present on this occasion, made up of the following professors: Messrs. Greatorex, King, Erben, Taylor, of this city, Munson, Jones, Bcamos, Kingsley, Jackson, Bristow, Scharfenberg, Harrison, Lanckenau, A. Hodges, Carrington, Russell, &c— An uncommonly rich treat of music may therefore be expected, interspersed with duetts. This organ is a first class instrument, and was built by Mr. Robjohn. We have been furnished with the following description: It has 3 benches of keys, 2 octaves of pedals, triple swell and quadruple front, 2 bellows, high and low pressure, each 10 ft. by 6 ft. 6 in.; 37 stops, 10 in the great organ, 10 in the swell, and 7 in the choir; 7 couplers, 2 stops in pedals, from one set of pipes, so arranged that the wind can be taken from the high or low pressure bellows, making a loud and soft stop. The case of the organ is 33 ft. high, 17 ft. wide, 15 ft. 7 in. deep, longest pipe 16 ft. long, 1/8 in. diameter.
The public are invited to attend this even. Mr. Robjohn is the organist of the church, and Mr. Charles Holt, of this city, chorister.

Sources:
     American Musical Directory. New York: Thomas Hutchinson, 1861.
     "City Intellegence," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Nov. 13, 1845). Article about organ exhibition. Courtesy James Lewis.
     Dunlap, David W. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     Farnam, Lynnwood. Specification of Frank Roosevelt organ, Op. 436 (1890). "Organ Notebook," p.483. John de Lancie Library, The Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia; Sally Branca, Archivist. Courtesy Jonathan Bowen.
     King, Moses. Handbook of New York City: An Outline History & Description of the American Metropolis. Boston: Moses King, 1892.
     Roberts, Vera Mowry. The Story of Rutgers Church. New York: Rutgers Presbyterian Church, 1998.
     "Hilborne L. Roosevelt, Manufacturer of Church, Chapel, Concert and Chamber Organs," catalog pub. by Roosevelt Organ Works (Dec. 1888); republished by The Organ Literature Foundation, Braintree, Mass., 1978.
     Rutgers Presbyterian Church website: http://www.rutgerschurch.com
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specification of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 4276 (1926)
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specification of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 4277 (1926)
     Trupiano, Larry. "Scheme of the Organ in Rutgers Presbyterian Church, New York City, built in 1870."

Illustrations:
     King, Moses. Handbook of New York City: An Outline History & Description of the American Metropolis. Boston: Moses King, 1892: Scottish Rite Hall (former Rutgers Presbyterian Church).
     Rust, John. Southfield organ, Op. 62 (2003) and Op. 66 (2005).
     Rutgers Presbyterian Church website. Drawings of earlier church buildings.

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