Church of St. Paul the Apostle - New York City
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Church of St. Paul the Apostle
(Roman Catholic)

405 West 59th Street at Columbus Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10019
http://www.stpaultheapostle.org

Organ Specifications:
► IV/84 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 9987 (1964; reb. Peragallo 1999)
► IV/86 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 9987 (1964)
► III/37 Skinner Organ Company, Op. 544 (1925)
• II/32 Hook & Hastings Co., 1420 (1889)
• Henry Erben (1864)
► II/6 M.P. Möller, Inc., Op. 9988 (1964) – Chapel
• I/7r Hook & Hastings Co., Op. 1419 (1889) – Chapel
► I/11 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 78 (1868) – Chapel

St. Paul the Apostle Church was built between 1880 and 1885, and is the founding church of the Paulist Fathers, which was the first men's religious order established in the United States. The exterior of the building is in 13th century Gothic style, while the interior has many features found in early Christian and Byzantine basilicas. Artists such as John LaFarge, William Laurel Harris, Lumen Winter and Augustus Saint Gaudens have works in the church, and the High Altar was executed in Byzantine style by Stanford White.
Church of St. Paul the Apostle - New York City (Photo: www.churchcrawler.co.uk Used by permission)   Church of St. Paul the Apostle - New York City (Photo: www.churchcrawler.co.uk Used by permission)
         

Peragallo Organ Console - Church of St. Paul the Apostle - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
   
  Peragallo Organ Console - Church of St. Paul the Apostle - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)
M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 9987 (1964)
As rebuilt by Peragallo Pipe Organ Company
Paterson, N.J. (1999)
Electro-pneumatic key action
Solid-state combination action
4 manuals, 88 registers, 62 stops, 84 ranks




In 1997, a campaign was undertaken to refurbish the M.P. Möller organ, Op. 9987 (1964), that had fallen into a state of disrepair. The Peragallo Pipe Organ Company of Paterson, N.J. was selected to repair the actions and to provide a new, updated and movable console. Some additions were made to the stoplist, and the organ was equipped with a complete MIDI interface with three programmable stops on each keyboard and a Proteus sound module and amplification system. The organ was rededicated in May, 2000, by organists Kent Tritle, John Weaver, Dorothy Papadakos and Stephen Tharp, along with the St. Paul Singers and Brass Quintet, led by Anne Holland, Music Director, and John Kubeniec, organist.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Gemshorn
73
4
   Spitzflöte
61
8
   Principal I
61
2
   Waldflöte
61
8
   Principal II
PED
     Mixture IV ranks
244
8
   Traversflöte
PED
     Scharf III ranks
183
8
   Rohrflöte
61
16
   Basson [composite]
—
8
   Gemshorn (fr. 16')
—
8
   Trompete
61
4
   Octav I
61
8
   Hautbois
49
4
   Octav II
PED
8
   Paulisten Posaune
PO
4
   Octavflöte
PED
     Carillon  
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Flûte Conique
73
     Plein Jeu V ranks
305
8
   Geigen
73
     Rauschquinte II ranks
122
8
   Bourdon
73
16
   Fagotto
73
8
   Salicional
73
8
   Trompette
73
8
   Voix Celeste
73
8
   Oboe
73
8
   Flauto Dolce
73
8
   Voix Humaine
61
8
   Flute Celeste (TC)
61
4
   Clarion
73
4
   Octav
73
     Tremulant  
4
   Flûte Triangulaire
73
8
   Paulisten Posaune
PO
2
   Piccolo
73
        
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Klein Principal
73
2 2/3
  Nasat
61
8
   Holzflöte
73
2
   Flöten Principal
61
8
   Unda Maris II ranks
134
8
   Clarinette
73
4
   Gemshorn
73
     Tremulant  
4
   Offenflöte
73
8
   Paulisten Posaune
PO
               
Positiv Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes
8
   Spitz Principal
61
1
   Sifflöte
61
8
   Nasonflöte
61
     Sesquialtera II ranks (TC)
98
4
   Prestant
61
     Cymbal III ranks
183
4
   Rohrflöte
61
16
   Dulzian
61
2
   Oktav
61
8
   Paulisten Posaune (chamade)
61
1 1/3
  Larigot
61
        
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Contre Basse [composite]
—
2
   Flöte (fr. Nachthorn)
—
32
   Contre Bourdon [composite]
—
     Mixture III ranks
96
16
   Principal
32
32
   Grand Cornet IX ranks
60
16
   Soubasse
32
32
   Contra Fagotto (ext. SW)
12
16
   Flûte Conique
SW
16
   Bombarde
44
16
   Gemshorn
GT
16
   Fagotto
SW
8
   Octav
32
16
   Dulzian
PO
8
   Gedeckt Pommer
32
8
   Trompete (fr. Bombarde)
—
8
   Gemshorn
GT
4
   Hautbois
44
4
   Choralbasse
32
2
   Zink (fr. Hautbois)
—
4
   Nachthorn
44
8
   Paulisten Posaune
PO
               
Nave Organ – 61 notes (floating)
8
   Principal
61
4
   Blockflöte
61
8
   Holzgedackt
61
2
   Super Oktav
61
4
   Oktav
61
     Mixture IV-VI ranks
290
               
Nave Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Principal (ext. 8')
12
8
   Bourdon
NAV
16
   Bourdon (ext. 8')
12
4
   Octav
NAV
8
   Principal
NAV
        
         

Original Möller Organ Installation, Op. 9984 (1964) - St. Paul the Apostle Church - New York City (Photo: Jeff Scofield)
M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 9987 (1964)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 78 registers, 63 stops, 86 ranks





Original Möller Organ Console, Op. 9984 (1964) - St. Paul the Apostle Church - New York City (Photo: Jeff Scofield)  
In 1964, the church commissioned M.P. Möller, Inc., of Hagerstown, Md., to build a new organ. The main organ was installed in a freestanding case behind the high altar, while the Nave Organ was installed in a bay midway down the south side of the nave. Möller retained and revoiced twelve ranks from the previous Skinner organ (1925, Op. 544), and provided a movable four-manual drawknob console that was finished in ebony. The organ was dedicated by the Rev. Joseph Foley, C.S.P., director of the Paulist Choristers and a longtime member of the American Guild of Organists.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Gemshorn
73
2
   Waldflöte
61
8
   Principal
61
     Mixture IV ranks
244
8
   Rohrflöte
61
     Scharf III ranks
183
8
   Gemshorn (fr. 16')
—
8
   Trompete
61
4
   Octave
61
     Great Unison Off  
4
   Spitzflöte
61
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Flute Conique
73
     Rauschquint II ranks
122
8
   Geigen
73
     Plein Jeu V ranks
305
8
   Gedeckt *
73
16
   Fagotto *
73
8
   Flauto Dolce *
73
8
   Trompette
73
8
   Flute Celeste * (TC)
61
8
   Corno d'Amour *
73
8
   Salicional
73
4
   Clairon
73
8
   Voix Celeste
73
     Tremulant  
4
   Geigen Octave
73
     Swell 16'  
4
   Flute Triangulaire *
73
     Swell Unison Off  
2
   Piccolo *
61
     Swell 4'  
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Concert Flute *
73
2
   Flötenprinzipal
61
8
   Viola
73
8
   Clarinet *
73
8
   Dulciana *
73
     Tremulant  
8
   Unda Maris (TC)
61
     Choir 16'  
8
   Gemshorn
73
     Choir Unison Off  
4
   Flute *
73
     Choir 4'  
2 2/3
   Nasat
61
        
               
Positiv Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes
8
   Spitzprinzipal
61
1
   Sifflöte
61
8
   Nason Flute
61
     Sesquialtera II ranks (TC)
98
4
   Oktav
61
     Cymbal III ranks
183
4
   Rohrflöte
61
16
   Dulzian
61
2
   Oktav
61
8
   Paulistenposaune +
61
1 1/3
  Larigot
61
    
+ not affected by couplers
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
   Grand Cornet IX ranks
60
2
   Nachthorn (fr. 4')
—
16
   Principal *
32
     Mixture III ranks
96
16
   Sub Bass
32
     Harmonics III ranks
96
16
   Gemshorn
GT
32
   Contra Fagotto (ext. SW)
12
16
   Flute Conique
SW
16
   Double Trumpet
44
8
   Octave
32
16
   Fagotto
SW
8
   Gedeckt Pommer
32
16
   Dulzian
PO
8
   Gemshorn
GT
8
   Trumpet (fr. 16')
—
4
   Choralbass
44
4
   Hautbois
44
4
   Nachthorn
44
2
   Zink (fr. Hautbois)
—
2
   Choralbass (fr. 4')
—
        
               
Nave Organ – 61 notes (playable from Great Manual)
8
   Prinzipal
61
4
   Blockflöte
61
8
   Holzgedackt
61
2
   Super Oktav
61
4
   Oktav
61
     Mixture IV-VI ranks
290
               
Nave Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Principal (ext. 8')
12
8
   Bourdon
NAV
16
   Bourdon (ext. 8')
12
4
   Octav
NAV
8
   Principal
NAV
        
           
* stops retained from previous organ
Couplers
    Great to Pedal   Great to Choir
    Swell to Pedal   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal   Positiv to Choir
    Positiv to Pedal   Swell to Positiv
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Choir to Positiv
    Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'   Nave to Pedal
    Positiv to Great 16', 8'   Nave on Great
    Positiv to Swell   Great Off
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
Positiv Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 (thumb)
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb)
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (thumb)
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (toe)
Generals Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb & toe)
               
Reversibles
    Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Positiv to Pedal (thumb & toe)
    Swell to Pedal (thumb & toe)   32' stop (thumb & toe)
    Choir to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Sforzando (thumb & toe)
               
Expression
    Balanced Pedal – Swell Organ
    Balanced Pedal – Choir Organ
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal
         
  Case of Skinner Organ, Op. 544 (1925) in St. Paul the Apostle R.C. Church - New York City (credit: OHS Archives)
  Drawing of Skinner organ case
Skinner Organ Company
Boston, Mass. – Opus 544 (1925)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 40 registers, 33 stops, 37 ranks, 2,434 pipes


The Skinner Organ Company of Boston built a new organ in 1925. It was installed in a shallow enclosure about 11 feet behind the baldacchino. The organ was formally dedicated on Wednesday, March 24, 1926, led by the Rev. Henry F. Riley, with an address by the Rev. William J. Finn, who drew the plans and specifications for the instrument. Five organists of distinction shared the program: Dr. Jacques Ungerer of St. Patrick's Cathedral; Dr. T. Tertius Noble of St. Thomas's Church; Pietro Yon, honorary organist at the Vatican; Dr. Channing Lefebvre of Trinity Church; and the Rev. William J. Finn, director of the Paulist Choristers, who also performed.
   
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes (7½" pressure)
16
   Diapason
61
4
   Flute Harmonic
61
8
   First Diapason
61
8
   Trumpet
61
8
   Second Diapason
61
8
   French Horn *
73
8
   Clarabella
61
    
Cathedral Chimes *
20 tubes
4
   Octave
61
* enclosed in Swell Expression Chamber
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed (7½" pressure)
16
   Bourdon
73
4
   Flute Triangulaire
73
8
   Diapason
73
2
   Harmonic Piccolo
61
8
   Gedeckt
73
     Mixture V ranks
305
8
   Salicional
73
16
   Fagotto
73
8
   Vox Celeste
73
8
   Cornopean
73
8
   Flauto Dolce
73
8
   Corno d'Amore
73
8
   Flute Celeste (TC)
61
8
   Vox Humana
73
4
   Octave
73
     Tremolo  
               
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed (6" pressure)
8
   Concert Flute
73
8
   English Horn
73
8
   Dulciana
73
8
   Orchestral Oboe
73
4
   Flute
73
     Tremolo  
2
   Flautino
61
8
   Harp (TC)
—
8
   Clarinet
73
4
  
Celesta
61 bars
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes (5" & 8" pressure)
32
   Diapason (ext. 1-12 quinted)
—
8
   Still Gedeckt
SW
16
   Diapason
44
16
   Trombone
44
16
   Bourdon
44
16
   Contra Fagotto
SW
16
   Echo Bourdon
SW
8
   Tromba (fr. 16')
—
8
   Octave (fr. 16' Diap.)
—
     Chimes
GT
8
   Gedeckt (fr. 16' Bdn.)
—
        
               
Couplers
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Great to Great 16', 4'
    Great to Pedal 8'   Great Unison **
    Choir to Pedal 8'   Swell to Swell 16', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Swell Unison **
    Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'   Choir to Choir 16', 4'
    Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'   Choir Unison **
           
** Push Buttons in Key Cheek
Adjustable Combinations
   
Great Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 Ped. to Man. Combs. On & Off
Swell Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 Ped. to Man. Combs. On & Off
Choir Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4 Ped. to Man. Combs. On & Off
Pedal Organ Pistons 1-2-3-4  
  Cancel Piston  
               
Mechanicals
    Swell Expression Pedal   Great to Pedal Reversible
    Choir Expression Pedal   Sforzando
    Crescendo Pedal    
         
Hook & Hastings Co.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1420 (1889)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 32 registers


Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
         
Henry Erben
New York City (1864)
Mechanical action


Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
         
Chapel Organ:

M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 9988 (1964)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 26 registers, 6 stops, 6 ranks


This Möller organ, known as a "Double Artiste," had six ranks in two enclosed divisions. The cabinets and tilting-tablet console were finished in mahogany, and wind pressures were 4-1/2" for the offsets and 3-3/4" for the trebles.

A Möller Company memorandum dated April 6, 1964 states that this two-manual Artiste organ was provided on loan to the church, with the hope that it could be sold in the New York area rather than returning it to Hagerstown. A memorandum dated May 6, 1964 states that the organ was to be furnished on a rental basis, "the cost of which has been included in the contract price of the custom-built organ" [Op. 9987 in the main church]. A letter dated June 10, 1965 from W.R. Daniels of Möller to Leon Cross of the church inquires about the removal of the organ, as it had been sold to Dr. George Markey of Maplewood, New Jersey. Dr. Markey requested that the 4' Principal in the Swell be replaced with the standard 8' string [celeste] found on Double Artiste organs by Möller. The organ was sold for $9,952.
   
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
92
2
   Super Octave [rep. 5 top notes]
—
8
   Diapason
80
2
   Flute [repeat 5 top notes]
—
8
   Gedeckt
—
1 1/3
  Larigot [repeat 12 top notes]
—
4
   Octave
—
    
Chimes
preparation
4
   Flute
—
     Tremulant  
2 2/3
  Nazard
61
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Salicional
80
16
   Trompette
85
4
   Principal (TC)
49
8
   Trompette
—
4
   Salicet
—
4
   Trompette
—
2
   Salicetina [repeat 5 top notes]
—
     Tremulant  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Bourdon
GT
4
   Bourdon
GT
8
   Diapason
GT
4
   Salicet
SW
8
   Bourdon
GT
16
   Trompette
SW
8
   Salicional
SW
8
   Trompette
SW
4
   Octave
GT
4
   Trompette
SW
               
Couplers
    Swell to Great          
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Great Organ (8 stages)
    Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell Organ (8 stages)
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal with indicator light (green jewel)
         
Chapel Organ:

Hook & Hastings Co.
Boston, Mass. – Opus 1419 (1889)
Mechanical action
1 manual, 7 registers


Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.
         
Chapel Organ:

J.H. & C.S. Odell
New York City – Opus 78 (1868)
Mechanical action
1 manual, 9 stops, 11 ranks


The following specification was recorded by F.R. Webber, whose "Organ Scrapbooks" are in the possession of The Organ Historical Society Archives in Princeton, N.J. Webber writes:

This is one of the first examples in which the Twelfth is called 2-1/3', instead of 3', as was previously customary.
               
Manual – 56 notes
8
   Open Diapason
56
4
   Principal
56
8
   Keraulophon
56
2 2/3
  Twelfth
56
8
   Clarionet Flute
44
2
   Fifteenth
56
8
   Stop Diapason Bass
12
     Sesquialtera, 3 ranks
168
8
   Dulciana (TC)
44
        
               
Pedal – 20 notes
16
   Grand Bourdon
20
        
               
Coupler
    Patent reversible Great to Pedal coupler
               
Composition Pedals
    Piano          
    Forte          
           
Sources:
     Aeolian-Skinner Archives web site: http://aeolianskinner.organsociety.org/Specs/Op00544.html
     The American Organist (Nov. 1965). Specification of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 9987 (1964).
     Church Crawler web site: http://www.churchcrawler.co.uk
     Kinzey, Allen, and Sand Lawn, comps. E.M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List. New Rev. Ed. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.
     "New Organ for Paulists," The New York Times (Mar. 21, 1926).
     St. Paul the Apostle web site: www.stpaultheapostle.org
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specification (Jun 23, 1925) of Ernest M. Skinner organ, Op. 544.
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specification of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 9987 (1964).
     Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specification of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 9988 (1964).
     Van Pelt, William T. The Hook Opus List, 1829-1916 in Facsimile. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1991.
     Webber, F.R. "Organ scrapbook" at Organ Historical Society Archives, Princeton, N.J. Specification of J.H. & C.S. Odell organ, Op. 78 (1868). Courtesy Jonathan Bowen.

Illustrations:
     Church Crawler web site. Interior shots. Used with permission.
     Lawson, Steven E. Interior; Peragallo organ console.
     Organ Historical Society Archives. Drawing of case for Skinner Organ Co., Op. 544 (1925). Courtesy Bynum Petty.
     Scofield, Jeff. M.P. Möller organ console; publicity photo.