St James' Episcopal Church - New York City
 

Click on most images to enlarge
St. James' Church
(Episcopal)

865 Madison Avenue at 71st Street
New York, N.Y. 10021
http://www.stjames.org


Organ Specifications:
865 Madison Avenue at 71st Street (since 1884)
► IV/78 Schoenstein & Co., Op. 157 (2009) – Chancel
► II/18 Schoenstein & Co., Op. 156 (2008) – Gallery
► III/102 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. R-169 (1985)
► IV/107 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 8888 (1956)
► IV/57 Austin Organ Company, Op. 1237 (1924)
► IV/ Hope-Jones Organ Co. (1907)
► Farrand & Votey, Op. 768 (1895) – Holy Trinity Mission
► III/32 Hilborne L. Roosevelt, Op. 151 (1885)
East 72nd Street at Third Avenue (1869-1884)
• George Jardine & Son (1869)
Hamilton Square, 69th Street at Lexington Avenue (1810-1869)
• Henry Erben? (c.1851)
• Henry Erben (1847) – rental


The first (1810-1869) St. James Episcopal Church - Hamilton Square, New York City  
First church (1810-1869)  
St. James Church began as a Protestant Episcopal chapel of ease for residents who had summer homes along the bank of the East River. The first church was built in 1809-10 on Hamilton Square, at what is now East 69th Street and Lexington Avenue. This simple clapboard building with steeple served the congregation until 1869.

  The second (1869-1884) St. James Episcopal Church on East 72nd Street at Third Avenue - New York City (Epis. Diocese of New York Archives)
  Second church (1869-1884)
The second church was built in 1869 on East 72nd Street, with a lively Victorian Gothic façade by James Renwick Jr. This edifice was never consecrated. In 1884, it was sold to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. A fire in 1927 destroyed the building.

R.H. Robertson Proposal for St. James Episcopal Church on Madison Avenue at 71st Street - New York City  
R. H. Robertson Drawing  
c.1884 photo of St. James Episcopal Church on Madison Avenue at 71st Street - New York City (Epis. Diocese of New York Archives)  
Present St. James' Church as built  
   
Work began on the present church in 1884. Designed by R. H. Robertson, the church was built of rock-faced brownstone in the Romanesque style with Lombard and Gothic details. Robertson's plans called for the altar to be located on the west end, at Madison, rather than the traditional east end, so that no new construction would block sunlight from reaching the chancel windows. The Madison Avenue façade included a small spire, the curved wall of the apse, and a square tower at the corner that was to rise over 150 feet. Although there was an entrance in the square tower that led to an ante room off of the chancel, the main entrance was located midblock on 71st Street. The church opened in 1885, although the tall tower was not built. Ten years later, in 1895, St. James merged with the Church of the Holy Trinity from East 42nd Street and built a settlement mission, known as the Church of the Holy Trinity, at 316 East 88th Street.

By the 1920s, the heavy Romanesque style was out of fashion and high church Gothic was in vogue, as evident in the recently completed churches of St. Thomas (Episcopal) and St. Vincent Ferrer (Catholic). Even the trustees of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine had been convinced to change their plans from Romanesque to Gothic. The vestry of St. James contacted Ralph Adams Cram, the noted ecclesiastical architect, who proposed a new church. Cram undertook a radical reorientation and redesign of the building that included a Gothic overlay. As a cost-saving measure, Cram retained the existing roof structure and most of the exterior rock-faced brownstone walls. A new chancel was added at the east end, extending the length of the church by half, and the main entrance was relocated to a new façade along Madison Avenue.
  St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (photo: Wurts Bros., 1926)
R.A. Cram's 1926 English Gothic Tower
The rebuilt St. James Church was formally reopened at the annual candlelight service on Christmas Eve, 1924, the third time in the church's history that a new building was opened on Christmas Eve. On February 1, 1925, the church and more than twenty-five new memorials were dedicated in a festival service led by Bishop William T. Manning, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Frank Warfield Crowder, the rector. The reconstructed church cost a total of $625,000. In 1926, Cram was called back to add an English Gothic tower on top of the French base, bringing it to a height of 93 feet. Built at a cost $40,000, the tower was dedicated by Bishop Manning on November 14, 1926.

St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)  
The present Parish House was dedicated in November 1938. Designed by Grosvenor Atterbury, the seven-story structure was built of brownstone and replaced a smaller parish house on the same site.

By the 1940s, Cram's tower addition began to fail and was removed. A replacement spire, affectionately called "the tin can," was designed by Richard Kimball and added in 1950.

Beginning in 1999, the church and parish house were renovated under plans drawn up by architect Lee Harris Pomery. The project included a makeover of the east hall, a new atrium in the parish house, the addition of a columbarium in the base of the tower entrance, and a restoration of the church interior.
               
  Schoenstein & Co. Organ, Op. 157 (2009) in St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Chancel Organ

Schoenstein & Co.
Benicia, Calif. – Opus 157 (2009)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 97 registers, 61 stops, 78 ranks



The second and final component of "The Bicentennial Organ" project was the chancel organ. Schoenstein installed the organ in the existing chambers on each side of the chancel and reused the old cases that mask tonal openings into the chancel and nave. Several stops in the Swell Organ are doubly enclosed for optimal effect. The low-profile four-manual drawknob console, located in a pit on the right side of the chancel, controls the resources of both chancel and gallery divisions. Expression pedals are selectable by means of small drawknobs under the coupler rail. Dr. E. Davis Wortman II, Director of Music and Organist, played the first recital on Saturday, February 20, 2010.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes (5" pressure)
16
   Double Open Diapason
73
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   Grand Open Diapason
SO
1 3/5
   Seventeenth (TC)
42
8
   Open Diapason
61
     Mixture III ranks mf
167
8
   Small Open Diapason
—
     Mixture IV ranks f
201
8
   Harmonic Flute
61
8
   Trumpet
61
8
   Dulciana
CH
4
   Clarion
80
8
   Bourdon
61
8
   Grand Harmonic Trumpet
GalGT
4
   Octave
SO
     Chimes
SO
4
   Principal
61
     Great Unison Off  
4
   Spire Flute
61
     Gallery Great on Great
2 2/3
   Twelfth
61
     Gallery Swell on Great
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed (5½" pressure)
16
   Lieblich Bourdon
73
     Stops under Double Expression:
8
   Open Diapason
61
8
   Flauto Dolce
61
8
   Stopped Diapason (fr. 16')
—
8
   Flute Celeste (TC)
49
8
   Echo Gamba
61
2
   Mixture III-V ranks ff *
242
8
   Vox Angelica
61
16
   Posaune *
61
8
   Erzähler (St. Diap. Bass)
49
8
   Cornopean *
61
4
   Principal
61
4
   Clarion *
61
4
   Harmonic Flute
61
8
   Vox Humana +
61
2
   Flageolet
61
     Swell 16'  
2 2/3
   Cornet III ranks
176
     Swell Unison Off  
8
   Oboe
61
     Swell 4'  
    Tremulant       Gallery Swell on Swell
     
* 10" pressure
           
+ Expression (pp/mf) and Tremulant (slow/fast)
by toggle switch at console
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed (5½" pressure)
16
   Dulciana
73
8
   Flugel Horn (fr. Bs Hn)
—
8
   Open Diapason
61
8
   Clarinet
61
8
   Concert Flute **
49
     Tremulant  
8
   Lieblich Gedeckt
61
     Choir 16'  
8
   Dulciana (fr. 16')
—
     Choir Unison Off  
8
   Unda Maris (TC)
49
     Choir 4'  
4
   Fugara
61
8
   Tuba Major
SO
4
   Silver Flute
61
8
   Grand Harmonic Trumpet
GalGT
2 2/3
   Nazard
61
     Cymbelstern
2
   Harmonic Piccolo
61
     Harp
digital
1 3/5
   Tierce (TC)
42
     Celesta
digital
1 1/3
   Larigot
54
     Gallery Great on Choir
2
   Mixture IV-V ranks mf
281
     Gallery Swell on Choir
16
   Bass Horn
73
    
* bass from Lieblich Gedeckt
               
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed (10" pressure)
8
   Grand Open Diapason
61
8
   Tuben III ranks
SW
8
   Gamba
61
     Tremulant  
8
   Gamba Celeste
61
     Variable Tremulant
8
   Symphonic Flute
61
     Chimes
digital
8
   French Horn
61
     Solo 16'  
4
   Octave
61
     Solo Unison Off  
16
   Trombone (ext. PED)
5
     Solo 4'  
16
   Corno di Bassetto
73
8
   Tuba Major (unenc.)
61
8
   Tuba Minor
61
8
  
Grand Harmonic Trumpet
GalGT
8
   Corno di Bassetto (fr. 16')
—
     Gallery Swell on Solo
4
   Tuba Clarion
61
        

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes (5" pressure)
32
   Contra Bourdon
44
2 2/3
   Mixture III ranks
96
32
   Resultant
—
32
   Cornet
derived
16
   Open Wood
44
32
   Contra Trombone
68
16
   Double Open Diapason
GT
16
   Trombone (fr. 16') #
—
16
   Violone
44
16
   Posaune
SW
16
   Bourdon (fr. 32')
—
16
   Corno di Bassetto
SO
16
   Dulciana
CH
16
  
Bass Horn
CH
16
   Lieblich Bourdon
SW
8
  
Tromba (fr. 16') #
—
8
   Open Wood (fr. 16')
—
8
   Posaune
SW
8
   Principal
32
4
   Octave Tromba (fr. 16') #
—
8
   Violone (fr. 16')
—
4
   Corno di Bassetto
SO
8
   Flute
GT
8
   Pizzicato Bass  
8
   Dulciana
CH
     Chimes
SO
8
   Stopped Diapason
SW
    
Gallery Great on Pedal
8
   Concert Flute
CH
    
Gallery Swell on Pedal
4
   Fifteenth
32
    
# In its own expression box; on 15" pressure.
4
   Flute
GT
      
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Solo to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Great to Choir 8'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'   Pedal to Choir 8'
    Solo to Pedal 8', 4'   Solo to Swell 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Choir to Swell 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'   Special Couplers:
    Solo to Great 16', 8', 4'   Pedal Divide
    Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'   Solo to Great Sforzando
               
Adjustable Combination Action
   
Solo Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 (thumb)
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (toe)
Gallery Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Gallery Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Entire Organ Pistons 1-18 (thumb & toe; 12 left, 6 right)
  General Cancel (thumb)
  Set (thumb)
               
Reversibles
    Great to Pedal (piston and toe lever)   32' Contra Bourdon (toe lever)
    Swell to Pedal (piston)   32' Contra Trombone (toe lever)
    Choir to Pedal (piston)   Full Organ (piston, toe lever & light)
    Solo to Pedal (piston)    
               
Pedal Movements
Five Balanced Pedals with selector system and four pistons controlling:
    • Swell Expression   • Pedal Expression
    • Inner Swell Expression   • Gallery Swell Expression
    • Choir Expression   • Variable Tremulant
    • Solo Expression   • Crescendo
               
Accessories
    Transposer   Signal light and buzzer
    Piston Sequencer   Temperature sensor system
    Record/playback device    
               
Chancel Console Control
    6 hidden General pistons on the Chancel console for use on the Gallery console.
    Gallery Console Off (piston & ind. light)
     
Schoenstein & Co. Organ, Op. 157 (2009) in St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)   Schoenstein & Co. Organ, Op. 157 (2009) in St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
               
  Schoenstein & Co. Organ, Op. 156 (2008) in the Gallery of St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
Gallery Organ

Schoenstein & Co.
Benicia, Calif. – Opus 156 (2008)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 40 registers, 16 stops, 18 ranks



St. James' Church contracted with Schoenstein & Co. to build a new double organ known as "The Bicentennial Organ." The first portion to be installed was the Gallery Organ with 18 ranks of pipes controlled by a two-manual drawknob console.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes (5½" pressure)
16
   Contra Salicional (ext.)
—
4
   Chimney Flute
SW
8
   Open Diapason
61
2
   Mixture III ranks
SW
8
   Small Open Diapason
SW
16
   Contra Posaune
SW
8
   Flauto Traverso
SW
8
   Posaune
SW
8
   Doppelflöte
SW
8
   Oboe Horn
SW
8
   Salicional
61
8
   Grand Harmonic Trumpet *
61
4
   Principal
61
    
* 7½" pressure
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed (5½" pressure)
16
   Bourdon (ext.)
12
2
   Mixture III ranks
183
8
   Small Open Diapason
61
16
   Contra Posaune (ext.) +
12
8
   Flauto Traverso (Diap. Bass)
61
8
   Posaune
61
8
   Doppelflöte
61
8
   Oboe Horn
61
8
   Voix Sérénissime
61
     Tremulant  
8
   Voix céleste
61
     Swell 16'  
4
   Gemshorn
61
     Swell Unison Off  
4
   Chimney Flute
61
    
Swell 4'
 
2 2/3
   Nazard (fr. Chimney Flute)
—
    
Cymbelstern
2
   Fifteenth
61
    
+ extension on 7½" pressure

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes (5½" pressure)
16
   Open Diapason (wood) (ext.) +
12
4
   Fifteenth (ext.)
12
16
   Contra Salicional
GT
4
   Flauto Traverso
SW
16
   Bourdon
SW
32
   Contra Posaune (ext.) +
12
8
   Principal
32
16
   Contra Posaune
SW
8
   Small Open Diapason
SW
8
   Posaune
SW
8
   Salicional
GT
4
   Oboe Horn
SW
8
   Doppelflöte
SW
    
+ extension on 7½" pressure
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8', 4'       Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'  
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'          
               
Adjustable Combination Action
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Entire Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10 (thumb & toe; 8 left, 2 right)
  General Cancel (thumb)
  Set (thumb)
               
Reversibles
    Great to Pedal (piston and toe stud)   Swell to Great (piston)
    Swell to Pedal (piston and toe stud)   Full Organ (piston, toe stud & light)
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Swell Pedal          
    Crescendo Pedal          
               
Accessories
    Transposer       Signal light and buzzer
    Piston Sequencer       Temperature sensor system
    Record/playback device        
             
Chancel Console Control
    6 General pistons (A-B-C-D-E-F) with indicator lights controlling the Chancel console, making all Chancel organ Great, Swell and Pedal stops, plus coupled stops from other divisions, playable from their respective keyboards on the Gallery console.
    General cancel      
    6 Hidden General pistons on the Chancel console for use on the Gallery console.
    Gallery Console Off (piston & ind. light)
     
Schoenstein & Co. Organ, Op. 156 (2008) in the Gallery of St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)   Schoenstein & Co. Organ, Op. 156 (2008) in the Gallery of St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
               
 

Chancel Console of Möller Organ, Op. R-169 (1985) - St James' Episcopal Church - New York City (Photo: Jeff Scofield)
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus R-169 (1985) – reb. of Op. 8888
Electro-pneumatic action
Chancel: 76 registers, 52 stops, 87 ranks
Antiphonal: 35 registers, 11 stops, 15 ranks
Total: 111 registers, 63 stops, 102 ranks







In 1985, the M.P. Möller company was contracted to rebuild and tonally revise their 1956 instrument (Op. 8888). Most of the old pipes were retained but reconfigured, and several new ranks were added. Möller installed a new solid state switching system and provided a new three-manual drawknob console that incorporated some of the old console decor. The 1956 Antiphonal organ was replaced by a new encased Gallery organ that included a separate two-manual rocker tab console and featured a horizontal reed across the top of the case.

In 2001, the Gallery organ was sold through the Organ Clearing House and moved to All Saints Church in River Ridge, Louisiana. In 2005, the Chancel organ was sold, also through the Organ Clearing House, to the First Baptist Church in Manhattan where it was rebuilt and installed by Meloni & Farrier.
               
CHANCEL ORGAN
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Gedackt Pommer
61
     Scharf IV ranks
237
8
   Principal *
61
     Grand Cornet IV-V ranks
293
8
   Bordun
61
16
   Bombarde
73
8
   Flute Harmonique *
61
8
   Trompette (fr. Bombarde)
—
4
   Octave *
61
4
   Clairon
61
4
   Spitzflöte
61
     Tremolo  
2 2/3
   Quinte
61
    
Chimes
25 tubes
2
   Super Octave *
61
     Great Unison Off
    Mixure IV ranks
244
8
   Trompette en Chamade
ANT
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Flute Conique
73
     Cymbale IV ranks
237
8
   Principal
61
     Cornet II ranks (TC)
98
8
   Rohrflöte
61
16
   Basson
61
8
   Viole
61
8
   Trompette
61
8
   Viole Celeste
61
8
   Hautbois
61
8
   Flute Conique (fr. 16')
—
8
   Vox Humana *
61
8
   Flute Celeste (TC)
49
4
   Clairon
61
4
   Octave
61
     Tremolo  
4
   Flute Triangulaire
61
     Swell 16'  
2
   Blockflöte
61
     Swell Unison Off  
1 1/3
   Larigot
61
     Swell 4'  
    Plein Jeu IV-V ranks
280
8
   Trompette en Chamade
ANT
               
Positiv Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
   Gedackt Pommer
61
1
   Sifflöte
61
8
   Gamba
61
     Zimbel IV-V ranks *
261
8
   Flute Conique
SW
16
   Holzregal
61
8
   Flute Celeste
SW
8
   Schalmei
61
4
   Spitzprincipal
61
     Tremolo   
4
   Lochgedackt
61
     Positiv Unison Off  
2 2/3
   Nazard
61
16
   Trompette en Chamade (TC)
ANT
2
   Principal
61
8
   Trompette en Chamade
ANT
1 3/5
   Tierce
61
4
   Trompette en Chamade
ANT

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Untersatz
56
2
   Nachthorn (fr. 4')
—
16
   Principal
32
     Mixture IV ranks
128
16
   Subbass (fr. Untersatz)
—
     Scharf V ranks
160
16
   Flute Conique
SW
32
   Cornet VII ranks
224
16
   Gedackt (ext. POS)
12
32
   Basson (ext. SW)
12
10 2/3
  Quintflöte (Fl. Conique)
SW
16
   Contre Bombarde
44
8
   Octave
32
16
   Basson
SW
8
   Spitzflöte
32
8
   Holzregal
POS
8
   Bordun (fr. Untersatz)
—
8
   Trompette en Chamade
ANT
8
   Flute Conique
SW
8
   Bombarde (fr. 16')
—
5 1/3
   Quinte (Fl. Conique)
SW
8
   Basson
SW
4
   Choralbass
32
4
   Holzregal
POS
4
   Nachthorn
44
        
           
* new ranks (1985)
ANTIPHONAL ORGAN
               
Antiphonal Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Bordun (unit)
97
2
   Flöte
—
8
   Principal (unit)
85
     Sesquialtera II ranks (TC)
98
8
   Holzgedackt
—
     Mixture III-IV ranks
208
8
   Gemshorn
SW
     Tremolo  
4
   Octave
—
     Antiph. Great Unison Off  
4
   Gedackt
—
     Antiph. Great 4'  
2
   Super Octave
—
8
   Trompette en Chamade
61
               
Antiphonal Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Rohrflöte (unit)
80
16
   Contre Trompette (unit)
85
8
   Gemshorn
61
8
   Trompette
—
8
   Gemshorn Celeste (TC)
49
4
   Clairon
—
4
   Spitzprincipal (unit)
85
     Tremolo  
4
   Rohrflöte
—
     Antiph. Swell Unison Off  
2
   Spitzoctave
—
     Antiph. Swell 4'  
1 1/3
   Quintflöte [repeat top octave]
—
8
   Trompette en Chamade
AGT
1
   Klein Octave [repeat top octave]
—
        
               
Antiphonal Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Principal (unit)
56
     Mixture III ranks
—
16
   Bordun
AGT
     Reed Cornet III ranks +
derived
10 2/3
   Quinte
—
16
   Contre Trompette
ASW
8
   Octave
—
8
   Trompette
ASW
8
   Rohrflöte
ASW
4
   Clairon
ASW
4
   Super Octave
—
    
+ SW 16' Contre Trompette wired to play
at 6 2/5', 4 4/7' & 3 5/9' pitches.
4
   Gedackt
AGT
    
             
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Positiv to Great 16', 8'
    Positiv to Pedal 8', 4'   Antiph. Swell to Great 8'
    Antiph. Great to Pedal 8'   Swell to Positiv 16', 8', 4'
    Antiph. Swell to Pedal 8'    
               
Adjustable Combinations (Solid State – Four Memories)
   
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Positiv Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb & toe)
Antiph. Swell Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Antiph. Great Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Entire Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 (thumb & toe)
  General Cancel (thumb)
  Setter Piston (thumb)
  Memory Selector A-B-C-D
  Combination Lock
               
Reversibles
    Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Antiphonal on Tutti (toe)
    Swell to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Tutti (thumb & toe)
    Positiv to Pedal (thumb & toe)   32' Untersatz (thumb & toe)
        32' Basson (thumb & toe)
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell Organ
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Antiphonal Swell Organ
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal with indicator light
               
Accessories
    Concave, radiating pedal clavier with "S" style sharps
    Present adjustable bench    
    Transparent music rack with light    
    Pedal light    
    Chancel – Both – Antiphonal jamb pistons
    Signal lights and buttons – 2
    Motor switches for Chancel and Antiphonal
    Present motor and blower
    New DC organ power unit
               
 

Antiphonal Division - Möller Organ, Op. 8888 (1956) at St. James Episcopal Church - New York City
 
Antiphonal Organ
M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Op. 8888 (1956)
Electro-pneumatic action
Chancel: 83 registers, 62 stops, 87 ranks (4m drawknob console)
Antiphonal: 18 registers, 15 stops, 20 ranks (1m tuning console)
Total: 100 registers, 77 stops, 107 ranks







As reported in The American Organist (August 1956):


"The organ which had served us at St. James' Church for over thirty years was removed three weeks ago. Its upkeep was increasingly expensive; if retained it needed major improvements; at best it represented a style of voicing now outmoded. Our Vestrymen decided that the purchase of a new organ was the only wise course in provided for the long future. A new organ has been ordered and will soon be installed by the M.P. Möller Company.
     "The new organ will be one of the finest in the city. Classical in concept and modern in resources and refinements, it will provide new beauty in all our public services. In addition to the extensive chancel sections which replace our old organ, it will provide two unusual new sections: an antiphonal organ in the rear gallery—the better to encourage and support congregational singing, and a Positiv section in the clerestory high above the altar."

Möller returned in 1985 to rebuild and tonally revise this organ.

               
CHANCEL ORGAN
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes (3-3/4" pressure)
16
   Quintade
61
2
   Octave
61
8
   Principal
61
     Fourniture IV ranks
244
8
   Bordun
61
     Cymbel III ranks
183
8
   Gemshorn
61
     Chimes
BO
5 1/3
   Quint
61
     Great 16' *  
4
   Octave
61
     Great Unison Off *

4
   Spitzflöte
61
     Great 4' *  
2 2/3
   Octave Quint
61
    
* affects Antiphonal Organ
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed (4" pressure)
16
   Flute Conique
73
     Scharf III ranks
183
8
   Rohrflöte
61
16
   Bassoon (L/2)
61
8
   Flute Conique (fr. 16')
—
8
   Trompette
61
8
   Flute Celeste (TC)
49
8
   Hautbois
61
8
   Viole de Gambe
61
4
   Clarion
61
8
   Viole Celeste
61
     Tremulant  
8
   Principal
61
     Swell 16' *  
4
   Flute Triangulaire
61
     Swell Unison Off *

2 2/3
   Twelfth
61
     Swell 4' *

2
   Fifteenth
61
    
* affects Antiphonal Organ
    Plein Jeu V ranks
305
        
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed (4" pressure)
8
   Viola
61
     Cymbel II ranks
122
8
   Viola Celeste
61
16
   Holzregal
61
8
   Gedeckt
61
8
   Schalmei
61
8
   Erzähler
61
4
   Sordun
61
8
   Erzähler Celeste
61
     Tremulant  
4
   Fugara
61
8
  
Harp
49 bars
4
   Lochgedeckt
61
     Choir 16'  
2 2/3
   Nazard
61
     Choir Unison Off  
2
   Blockflöte
61
     Choir 4'  
1 3/5
   Tierce
61
8
  
Processional Diapason (TC)
49
               
Positiv Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes (3" pressure, located behind arches above reredos)
8
   Quintflöte
61
     Sesquialtera II ranks
122
4
   Nachthorn
61
     Zimbel III ranks
183
2
   Principal
61
     Tremulant  
1
   Sifflöte
61
    
(Positiv stops duplexed on Manual IV)
               
Bombarde Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed (7" pressure)
4
   Principal
61
    
Tremulant (affecting English Horn only)
    Cornet IV ranks
244
    
Chimes
25 tubes
16
   Bombarde
61
    
Bombarde 16'
8
   Trompette Harmonique
61
     Bombarde Unison Off
8
   English Horn
61
     Bombarde 4'  
4
   Clairon Harmonique
61
        

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes (4", 5", & 6" pressure)
32
   Quintaton
56
4
   Nachthorn
44
16
   Contrebasse
32
2 2/3
   Quint
—
16
   Subbass
44
2
   Blockflöte (fr. Nachthorn)
—
16
   Quintaton (fr. 32')
—
     Fourniture IV ranks
128
16
   Flute Conique
SW
     Carillon III ranks
96
16
   Gedeckt (ext. CH)
12
32
   Grand Cornet IV ranks
derived
8
   Principal
32
32
   Bassoon (ext. SW)
12
8
   Bourdon (fr. Subbass)
—
16
   Bombarde
56
8
   Quintaton (fr. 32')
—
16
   Bassoon
SW
8
   Flute Conique
SW
8
   Bombarde (fr. 16')
—
5 1/3
   Quint (fr. 32')
—
4
   Clarion (fr. 16')
—
4
   Oktav
32
 
      
               
ANTIPHONAL ORGAN
               
Antiphonal Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes (3-3/4" pressure)
8
   Principal
61
2
   Blockflöte
61
8
   Bourdon
61
     Mixture IV ranks
244
4
   Octave
61
 
Carillonic Bells
25 notes
2 2/3
   Quint
61
      
               
Antiphonal Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed (4" pressure)
8
   Rohrgedeckt
61
     Mixture III ranks
183
8
   Spitzgambe
61
16
   Musette
61
8
   Spitzgambe Celeste (TC)
49
8
   Trompette
61
4
   Nachthorn
61
     Tremulant  
               
Antiphonal Pedal Organ – 32 notes (4" pressure)
16
   Quintaton (ext. Rohrged.)
12
16
   Musette
A-SW
8
   Spitzprincipal
32
8
   Musette
A-SW
4
   Koppelflöte
32
        
               
Couplers and Controls (tilting tablets above top manual)
    Great to Pedal 8', 4'   Bombarde to Swell 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Choir Positiv to Great 16', 8'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Bombarde to Pedal 8', 4'   Bombarde to Choir 8', 4'
    Bombarde Positiv to Pedal 8'   Great to Bombarde 8'
    Choir Positiv to Pedal 8'   Swell to Bombarde 8', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Chancel Organ
    Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'   Both
    Bombarde to Great 16', 8', 4'   Antiphonal Organ
               
Reversibles
    Great to Pedal Reversible (thumb & toe)
    Swell to Pedal Reversible (thumb & toe)
    Choir to Pedal Reversible (thumb & toe)
    Bombarde to Pedal Reversible (thumb & toe)
    Sforzando Reversible – Chancel Organ (thumb & toe)
    Sforzando Reverisble – Antiphonal Organ (thumb & toe)
    Grand Sforzando Reversible (thumb & toe)
    All Swells to Swell Reversible (thumb & toe)
    16' Stop and Couplers Off Reversible (thumb)
    32' Quintaton Reversible (thumb)
    32' Bassoon Reversible (thumb)
    Chancel Organ – Both – Antiphonal Organ Reversible (3) by manual pistons affecting
               tilting tablets located with inter-manual couplers
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Antiph. Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Antiph. Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Choir-Positiv Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Bombarde Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Bombarde-Positiv Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Inter-manual Couplers Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb & toe)
Entire Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 (thumb & toe)
  General Cancel (thumb)
  Combination Adjustor Piston
  Combination Lock
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell Organ
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Antiphonal Swell Organ
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Choir Organ
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Bombarde Carillonic Bells
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal – Chancel Organ
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal – Antiphonal Organ
               
Accessories
    On-Off switch for Nave Expression (Chancel Organ)
    On-Off switch for Antiphonal Crescendo to Chancel Crescendo Pedal
    Action current indicator light
    Chancel organ crescendo indicator light
    Antiphonal organ crescendo indicator light
    Chancel organ Sforzando indicator light
    Antiphonal organ Sforzando indicator light
    Grand Sforzando indicator light
    All Swells to Swell indicator light
    16' Stops & Couplers Off indicator light
     
    Signal light with marker engraved NARTHEX
    Signal light with marker engraved VESTRY
    Signal button
               
  Austin Organ, Op. 1237 (1924) formerly in St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (Austin catalog, ca.1925)
Austin Organ Company
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 1237 (1924)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 72 registers, 54 stops, 57 ranks







In conjunction with the rebuilding and reorientation of St. James Church, the Austin Organ Company was commissioned to build a new organ. This organ was installed in two stages: the first contract, for $17,925 and dated January 18, 1924, allowed for many future additions, including all of the Solo division. It wasn't until 1927 that the organ was completed, at an additional cost of $18,500. The organ's features included double-touch pistons for the Great and Swell divisions (the second touch affecting the Pedal stops), and an Echo division, located in its own enclosure within the Swell box. A complete diapason chorus on the Great was unusual for organs built in the era.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, partially enclosed in Choir
16
   Double Open Diapason *
61
4
   Harmonic Flute
61
8
   1st Open Diapason *
61
2 2/3
   Twelfth
61
8
   2nd Open Diapason
61
2
   Fifteenth
61
8
   3rd Open Diapason
61
  Mixture IV ranks
244
8
   Violoncello
61
8
   Trumpet
61
8
   Grosse Floete
61
 
Chimes
25 tubes
8
   Gemshorn
61
8
  
Pitch Diapason (in Sacristy)
49
4
   Principal
61
      
           
* unenclosed
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
73
2
   Flautino
61
8
   Open Diapason
73
1 3/5
   Tierce
61
8
   Clarabella
73
16
   Double Oboe
85
8
   Viol d'Orchestre
73
8
   Cornopean
85
8
   Viol Celeste
73
8
   Oboe (fr. 16')
—
8
   Vox Seraphique (TC)
61
4
   Clarion (fr. Cornopean)
—
4
   Fugara
73
     Tremolo  
2 2/3
   Nazard
61
        
               
Echo Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Horn Diapason
73
4
   Flauto Traverso
73
8
   Chimney Flute
73
8
   Night Horn
73
8
   Flute Celeste
73
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Echo Salicional
73
     Tremolo  
8
   Vox Celeste
73
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Double Diapason
73
4
   Flute d'Amour
73
8
   Open Diapason
73
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Concert Flute
73
8
   Cor Anglais
73
8
   Dulciana
73
8
   Clarinet
73
8
   Unda Maris (TC)
61
     Tremolo  
8
   Quintadena
73
    
Celesta
49 bars
8
   Vox Angelica (TC)
61
        
               
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Stentorphone
73
16
   Tuba Mirabilis
85
8
   Major Flute
73
8
   Tuba Harmonic (fr. 16')
—
8
   Major Gamba
73
4
   Tuba Clarion (fr. 16')
—
8
   Gamba Celeste
73
     Tremolo  
8
   Orchestral Oboe
73
     Chimes  
8
   French Horn
73
        
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Contra Bourdon
56
8
   Flute (fr. 32')
—
16
   1st Open Diapason
44
8
   Cello
SO
16
   2nd Open Diapason
GT
8
   Dolce
SW
16
   Violone
SO
32
   Contra Bombarde (ext. SO)
12
16
   Bourdon (fr. 32')
—
16
   Tuba Profunda
SO
16
   Dulciana
CH
16
   Fagotto
SW
16
   Dolce Bourdon
SW
8
   Tuba Harmonic
SO
8
   Octave (fr. 16' 1st OD)
—
4
   Tuba Clarion
SO
               
  St. James' Church Chancel at Eastertide, showing Hilborne L. Roosevelt organ, Op. 151 (1885) in St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (courtesy Larry Trupiano)
  1907 photo of chancel
Hope-Jones Organ Co.
Elmira, N.Y. (1907)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 59 registers







In 1907, the Hope-Jones Organ Co. of Elmira, N.Y. rebuilt the 1885 Hilborne L. Roosevelt organ. Hope-Jones also provided a new electric four-manual horseshoe console. The pipecounts and total number of ranks have not yet been determined.

The organ was dedicated on Thursday, February 27, 1907, at 8 pm. Participating were the choirs of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and St. James's Church; organists Felix Lamond (Trinity Chapel), Frank Sill Roge rs (St. Peters', Albany), and Waler Henry Hall (the Cathedral and St. James'); and the Rev. Ernest Voorbis (Precentor of the Cathedral) as Cantor. Following is the description from the inaugural program:     St. James' Church, Madison Avenue, New York City, entirely lacks that resonance which is so helpful to musical tone. Its restricted chancel arch, the peculiar formation of its roof, and the presence of cushioned and carpeted pews, all tend to destroy the beauty of music rendered in the building.
     The organ installed in this Church by Roosevelt in the year 1885, though a good instrument in itself, has always proved disappointing. The chamber in which it was placed is very lofty, but except for two comparatively small arched openings in its lower part, it is entirely cut off from the Church.
     Last spring, the late Mrs. J. H. Linsly donated $11,000 for the rebuilding of the organ, which naturally required attention after its twenty years' hard wear and tear.
     Upon the advice of the organist, Mr. Walter Henry Hall, it was decided to place the matter in the hands of an Acoustician and Scientist, Mr. Robt. Hope-Jones, M.I.E.E., late of England.
     A contract was therefore entered into with the Hope-Jones Organ Company of Elmira and New York City. That company has so rebuilt the organ that it now floods the building in every part with a majestic volume of tone that recalls to the listener the effects heard in the Cathedrals of Europe.
     Practically all the stops of the old Roosevelt organ have been retained, but the tone of these has been increased and carried into the Church by scientific means. Foundation tone of great amplitude of vibration is provided by means of the Hope-Jones Tibias, Tubas, and Phonons; and this massive background of foundation tone sweeps what was before lost, into the Church.
     The smooth Tuba, enclosed in a cement swell-box weighing four tons, is placed at the back of the chamber. Its strength of tone is controlled by laminated lead shutters. The pipes of the Tibia Profunda are laid horizontally on the floor, with their open ends pointing directly into the transept of the Church.
     The Swell organ is enclosed in another box of solid cement provided with laminated lead shutters; and the Choir organ stands in its old wooden swell box. The shades for the swell and choir organs are connected mechanically with their respective swell pedals, but those for the Tuba organ have the advantage of electric action, which is much more prompt and easy of operation. These latter shades are under the control, not only of the usual balanced swell pedal, but also of a small key fixed on the lower edge of the music desk. The key and the pedal move simultaneously so that the organist can see the position of his swell shades at any moment.
     The whole of the organ, together with its blowing machinery, has been kept within the organ chamber – the only exception being the console, which stands where the old one did, in the chancel, and eight pipes of the Contra Tibia Clausa, which have been bracketed on the transept wall.
Robert Hope-Jones organ console (1907) for St. James Episcopal Church - New York City (courtesy Jeff Weiler)  
Hope-Jones Console at St. James  
     The keyboards are provided with double touch in order that expression from the fingers may be obtained. Stop keys of the usual Hope-Jones pattern are used, instead of the old-fashioned draw stop knobs, but these stop keys are arranged in an inclined semi-circle, so that all may be equi-distant from the organist. Each keyboard is provided with a suitable bass tablet, which brings into operation an automatic pedal stop and coupler controller. This suitable bass tablet ensures the pedal bass being at all times correct as to quality and power of tone, whatever varying combinations may be in use when the manual is being played upon. A series of combination keys disposed upon each of the manuals enables the organist to change the position of his stops and stop keys without lifting his fingers from the keyboard upon which he is playing.
     The pressures of wind employed are 3½, [5?], 10 and 20 inches.
     All the combination action can be adjusted by the organist at the console. The pedal board is of the standard A.G.O. pattern.

               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Contra Tibia Clausa (partly old)
16
   Ophecleide  
8
   Tibia Plena  
8
   Tuba  
8
   Diapason Phonon  
4
   Clarion  
8
   Open Diapason (old)       Swell to Great Sub Octave  
8
   Tibia Clausa       Swell to Great Unison  
8
   Doppel Flute (old)       Swell to Great Octave  
8
   Viole d'Gamba (old)       Choir to Great Unison  
8
   Gedact          
4
   Octave       Double Touch  
4
   Flute Harmonique (old)       Suitable Bass
2
   Super Octave (old)       Tubas On/Off  
    Mixture, 3 ranks       Swell to Great Couplers On & Off
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes
16
   Bourdon  
16
   Trombone  
16
   Contra Viola  
8
   Tuba  
8
   Geigen Principal (old)  
8
   Tromba  
8
   Concert Flute (old)  
8
   Oboe (old)  
8
   Viole d'Orchestre       Tremulant (not affecting heavy Reeds)
8
   Viole Celeste       Unison Off  
8
   Gedact       Sub Octave  
8
   Quintadena       Octave  
8
   Quint Celeste          
4
   Rohr Flute (old)       Double Touch  
4
   Gambette       Suitable Bass  
2
   Piccolo (old)          
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
16
   Bourdon (old)       Swell to Choir Sub Octave  
8
   Open Diapason (old)       Swell to Choir Unison  
8
   Salicional (old)       Swell to Choir Octave  
8
   Stopt Diapason (old)       Swell to Choir Super Octave *
8
   Dolce (old)          
8
   Unda Maris (TC)       Double Touch  
8
   Clarinet (old)       Suitable Bass  
8
   Orchestral Oboe       Swell Couplers On & Off  
8
   Vox Humana *          
    Tremulant       * The New Music Review (June 1907) does not list these stops; instead are a 4' Gemshorn and a Cornet 3-5 ranks.
    Unison Off      
    Sub Octave      
    Octave      
               
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes
16
   Contra Tibia Clausa       Swell to Solo Sub Octave  
8
   Tibia Plena       Swell to Solo Unison  
8
   Tibia Clausa       Swell to Solo Octave  
16
   Ophecleide       Double Touch  
8
   Tuba       Suitable Bass  
8
   Tromba          
4
   Clarion       ** The New Music Review (June 1907) shows the Tremulant, but the Inauguration Program (Feb. 1907) does not.
    Tremulant for Tuba **      
           
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Contra Tibia Clausa  
16
   Ophecleide  
16
   Tibia Profunda (partly old)
16
   Trombone  
16
   Contra Tibia Clausa (partly old)
8
   Tuba  
16
   Contra Viola  
4
   Clarion  
16
   Bourdon       Great to Pedal  
8
   Tibia Plena       Swell to Pedal  
8
   Flute       Swell to Pedal Octave  
8
   'Cello       Choir to Pedal  
               
Combinations
    Six Double Touch Adjustable Combination Keys for Great Stops and Suitable Bass
    Three Double Touch Adjustable Combination Pedals for Great Stops and Suitable Bass
    Six Double Touch Adjustable Combination Keys for Swell Stops and Suitable Bass
    Three Double Touch Adjustable Combination Pedals for Swell Stops and Suitable Bass
    Five Double Touch Adjustable Combination Keys for Choir Stops and Suitable Bass
               
General
    Balanced Pedal for Swell (mechanical)
    Balanced Pedal for Choir (mechanical)
    Balanced Pedal for Tuba (electric)
    Crescendo Pedal
    One Key for controlling Tuba Swell Shades and Pedal
    One Stud to release all Suitable Basses
    Sforzando Pedal for heavy Reeds and Couplers
             
Farrand & Votey
Detroit, Mich. – Opus 768 (1895)
Unknown action


The Opus List for Farrand & Votey of Detroit, Mich., shows that they rebuilt the Roosevelt organ at St. James' Church in 1895. As the Roosevelt organ in St. James' Church was only 10 years old, it seems highly likely that this job was actually to move the Roosevelt organ (1873, Op. 5) from the old Holy Trinity Church on Madison Avenue & 42nd Street — which had merged with St. James Church in 1895 — to the new Holy Trinity Mission on East 88th Street.
               

Hilborne L. Roosevelt
New York City – Opus 151 (1885)
Mechanical action
3 manuals, 27 stops, 32 ranks, 1736 pipes



The organ in the original building on Madison Avenue was built by Hilborne L. Roosevelt of New York City. However, planning for the new building included hiring a new music director. The record of St. James' Church, Hamilton Square, includes this entry for September 5, 1884:

"On motion, the following proposition from Gen C.C. Dodge, with reference to the Music of the Church was accepted –

"General Dodge to relieve the Vestry of its contract with D.W. Walker, and to take charge of the music in the present church Nov. 1, 1884. In the new church he will take the appropriation of Twenty four hundred dollars for music, and will supplement the sum with a like amount – will furnish a quartette and chorus in Organ Gallery, and a choir of men & boys in the chancel. Will supply music for the week day service during the year – He will also, take supervision of the building of the new organ.

"On motion the Music Committee was directed to contract with H. L. Roosevelt for an organ for the new church – of style no. 51 in his catalogue for a sum not to exceed Seventy five hundred dollars ($7500) for the instrument complete, erected in the church. Construction of the organ to be subject to the supervision of the organist elect Gen C.C. Dodge."

It appears that the new organ was not completed for the opening services in the new building. In the Nov. 10, 1884 entry is a note stating, "Mr Roosevelt wrote that he could not make delivery of the organ until Feb. 1, 1885." Roosevelt offered to "substitute temporarily Mr. Hamilton’s Vocalion, without cost to the church."
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes, partially enclosed in Choir
16
   Double Open Diapason
58
2 2/3
   Octave Quint *
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
2
   Super Octave *
58
8
   Viola di Gamba
58
     Mixture, 3 & 4 ranks *
196
8
   Doppel Flöte
58
8
   Trumpet *
58
4
   Octave
58
    
* enclosed in Choir swell-box
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 58 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
58
4
   Flute Harmonique
58
8
   Open Diapason
58
     Cornet, 3 ranks
174
8
   Salicional
58
8
   Cornopean
58
8
   Stopped Diapason
58
8
   Oboe
58
4
   Gemshorn
58
        
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes, enclosed
8
   Geigen Principal
58
4
   Rohr Flöte
58
8
   Dolce
58
2
   Piccolo Harmonique
58
8
   Concert Flute
58
8
   Clarinet
58
               
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
   Open Diapason
30
8
   Violoncello
30
16
   Bourdon
30
        
               
Couplers
    Swell to Great   Swell to Pedal
    Swell to Great 8ves   Great to Pedal
    Choir to Great   Choir to Pedal
    Swell to Choir    
               
Mechanical Accessories
    Swell Tremulant   Eclipse Wind Indicator
    Bellows Signal    
               
Pedal Movements
    Great Organ Forte   Great to Pedal Reversible Coupler
    Great Organ Piano   Balanced Swell Pedal
    Swell Organ Forte   Balanced Choir Pedal
    Swell Organ Piano    
             
Organ in church located on East 72nd Street at Third Avenue:

George Jardine & Son
New York City (1869)
Mechanical action


Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
             
Organ in church located on Hamilton Square:

Henry Erben ?
New York City (c.1851)
Mechanical action


In May 1851, the Rev. Peter Schermerhorn Chauncey was called to be rector of St. James' Church. During his first years several notable changes took place, and an organ was finally purchased. It is not known if the 1847 was purchased, or if a new organ was built. The builder of this organ has not yet been identified.
             

Organ in church located on Hamilton Square:

Henry Erben
New York City (1847)
Mechanical action


The first known organ in St. James' Church was built by Henry Erben of New York City and installed in 1847. As recently as 1846 "there was, again, a subscription to raise money for an organ. Apparently the effort failed..." In the Vestry Minutes of 30 August 1847, we read:

Mr Alvord having presented a communication from Mr Henry Erben relative to the hire and price of the organ and the expense of putting it up. On Motion of Mr Jones, Resolved that Mr Erben be paid $75 for one year rent of his organ up to July 1847  and also $12 the amount of his bill for putting it up. That hereafter the Church will pay for the use of it at the rate of $75 a year until they wish to give it up and also that Mr Erben be informed of this resolution. On Motion Resolved that the Rector and Mr Schermerhorn, Alvord & Jones be appointed a committee to make inquires respecting a proper organ for the Church; with power to hire a suitable instrument without further authority.

The minutes continue about hiring an organist for $75 a year.

Henry Erben & Company published an 1877 catalog that lists an 1837 organ for St. James Episcopal Church; the date is in error and should be 1847. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
               
Sources:
     The American Organist (Aug. 1956). Article about M.P. Möller organ, Op. 8888 (1956).
     Barnes, William H. The Contemporary American Organ (Seventh Edition). New York: J. Fischer & Bro., 1964.
     Blanton, Joseph E. The Organ in Church Design. Albany: Venture Press, 1957.
     Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     Gray, Christopher. "Streetscapes: St. James' Church; A Metamorphosis Still in Progress," The New York Times (Oct. 20, 1991).
     "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.
     Inauguration of New Organ (Feb. 27, 1907). Published by St. James' Church. Courtesy Larry Trupiano.
     Junchen, David L. (compiled and edited by Jeff Weiler). The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ: An Illustrated History. Indianapolis: The American Theatre Organ Society, 2005.
     Lindsley, James Elliott. A History of Saint James' Church in the City of New York 1810-1960. Pub. by the church, 1860.
     Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seattle, Wash.
     The New Music Review (June 1907). Stoplist of Hope-Jones Organ (1907). Courtesy Jonathan Bowen.
     Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001.
     Ogasapian, John. Organ Building in New York City: 1700-1900. Braintree: The Organ Literature Foundation, 1977.
      St. James Church website: http://www.stjames.org
     Scofield, Jeff. Factory Specifications of M.P. Möller organ, Op. R-169 (1985).
     Scofield, Jeff. Stoplist of Austin Organ Company organ, Op. 1237 (1924).
     Trupiano, Larry. Electronic correspondence (Dec. 23, 2011) concerning Hilborne L. Roosevelt organ, Op. 151 (1885).
     Trupiano, Larry. Excerpts from Vestry Minutes of St. James' Church.
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specification of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 8888 (1956).
     Wortman, E. Davis II. Factory Specification of Schoenstein & Co. organs, Op. 156 (2008) and Op. 157 (2009).

Illustrations:
     Austin Organ Company Catalog (ca. 1925). Chancel. Courtesy Jeff Scofield.
     Barnes, William H. The Contemporary American Organ (Seventh Edition). Antiphonal Divisions of M.P. Möller organ, Op. 8888 (1956).
     Junchen, David L. (compiled and edited by Jeff Weiler). The Wurlitzer Pipe Organ: An Illustrated History. Console of Hope-Jones organ (1907).
     Lawson, Steven E. Interior; consoles and cases of Schoenstein & Co. organs, Op. 156 (2008) and Op. 157 (2009).
     Scofield, Jeff. Console of M.P. Möller organ, Op. R-169 (1985).
     Trupiano, Larry. Chancel of St. James' Church at Eastertide (<1907); exterior of church (<1926).
     Wurts Bros. (New York, N.Y.). Photo (1926) of St. James' Church exterior.