Synod House - Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
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Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine
(Episcopal)

Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street
New York, N.Y. 10026
http://www.stjohndivine.org


Synod House


Organ Specifications:
Present building (since 1913)
► III/22 Ernest M. Skinner Company, Op. 204 (1913)
First building – "Old Synod House" (1892-?)
• II/17 George S. Hutchings, Op. 478 (c.1899) – moved from Crypt (c.1911)

See also the Cathedral, St. Ansgar Chapel, and St. James Chapel
         
  Synod House - Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine - New York City (Diocese of New York Archives)
  Interior of Synod House (Nov. 2, 1912)
Ernest M. Skinner Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 204 (1913)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 32 registers, 22 stops, 22 ranks



The organ in the Synod House was built in 1913 by the Ernest M. Skinner Company of Boston. This organ has not been altered since its installation but has been unplayable for many years.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Bourdon [ext. PED]
17
8
  Gedackt
SW
8
  Diapason
61
8
  Dulciana (Aeoline)
SW
8
  Philomela
PED
4
  Flute
SW
8
  Erzahler
61
8
  Cornopean
SW

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bourdon
61
4
  Flute
61
8
  Diapason
61
2
  Flautino
61
8
  Gedackt
61
16
   Contra Posaune
61
8
  Salicional
61
8
  Cornopean
61
8
  Voix Celestes
61
8
  Oboe
61
8
  Aeoline
61
8
  Vox Humana
61
8
  Unda Maris [TC]
49
     Tremolo  
4
   Octave
61
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Diapason
61
8
  Clarinet
61
8
  Concert Flute
61
     Tremolo  
4
  Flute
61
        

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
  Diapason
44
8
  Octave [ext. Diapason]
—
16
  First Bourdon
44
8
  Gedackt [ext. Bourdon]
—
16
  Second Bourdon
SW
16
  Posaune
SW
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Choir 8'
    Choir to Pedal 8'   Swell 16', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Choir 16', 4'
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb) Ped-Man On/Off
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb) Ped-Man On/Off
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb) Ped-Man On/Off
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 (toe)  
  General Cancel (thumb)  
  Set (thumb)  
               
Mechanicals
    Balanced Swell Pedal   Great to Pedal Reversible (toe)
    Balanced Choir Pedal   Sforzando (toe, hook-down)
    Register Crescendo Pedal    
         
Organ in "Old Synod House"

George S. Hutchings
Boston, Mass. – Opus 478 (c.1899)
Tubular-pneumatic action?
2 manuals, 17 stops


The first organ for the cathedral was built c.1899 by George S. Hutchings of Boston. This organ was installed in the Crypt and had two manuals and 17 stops. According to an article in The Diapason (May 1, 1912), organbuilder Arthur L. Fenton "completed an extensive addition to the case and front pipes of the organ in Synod Hall in New York City. This organ was built for the crypt of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and was used there until the opening of the cathedral." It is believed that this organ was actually moved c.1911 to the "Old Synod House," the old Leake and Watts Orphan Asylum building that had been renovated to have an assembly hall.

Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
           
Sources:
     Aeolian-Skinner Archives web site: http://aeolianskinner.organsociety.org/Specs/Op00204.html
     Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, pub. by the Cathedral League. New York: St. Bartholomew's Press, 1916.
     Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine web site: http://www.stjohndivine.org/
     Dolkart, Andrew S. and Matthew A. Postal. Guide to New York City Landmarks (Third Edition). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004.
     Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     Hall, Edward Hagaman. A Guide to the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in the City of New York (Third Ed.). New York: The Laymen's Club of the Cathedral, 1922.
     Holden, Dorothy. The Life and Work of Ernest M. Skinner. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1987.
     "Is Built By A. L. Fenton," The Diapason (May 1, 1912).
     Kehl, Roy. Specifications of Ernest M. Skinner Co. organ, Op. 204 (1913). Courtesy Allen Kinzey.
     Kinzey, Allen, and Sand Lawn, comps. E.M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List. New Rev. Ed. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.
     "Stop, Open and Reed – a Periodical Presentation of Pipe Organ Progress". Boston: Skinner Organ Company, 1922-1927.

Illustrations:
     Diocese of New York Archives. Interior (Nov. 2, 1912). Courtesy Wayne Kempton.
     Lawson, Steven E. Exterior (2011).