Svenska Kyrkan (Swedish Seamen's Church)
(Church of Sweden – Lutheran)

5 East 48th Street near Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10017
http://www.swedishchurch.net/index2.asp?id=1



Organ Specifications:
5 East 48th Street near Fifth Avenue (since 1978)
► II/17 Walter Thür (1986)
6 Water Street (1927-1978)
• unknown
5 Water Street (1873-1927)
• unknown



The Swedish Seamen's Church (Svenska Kyrkan) was established on Water Street in 1873 to serve seafarers and resident Scandinavians. Located for many years at 5 Water Street, a new building at 6 Water Street was dedicated on September 25, 1927 for the Swedish Lutheran Seamen's Home. In 1978, the organization purchased the former New York Bible Society building at 5 East 48th Street, built in 1871 as one of a row of brownstones and altered in 1921 by architect Wilfred E. Anthony to its present neo-Gothic form. The Swedish Church retrofitted the space to include a comfortable common room and café in which guests can relax. The simple and serene chapel, located a floor above the common room, offers Högmässa ("high mass") each Sunday, and is used for concerts by Swedish musicians.
               
Walter Thür Orgelbyggen
Torshälla, Sweden (1986)
Mechanical key and stop action
2 manuals, 15 stops, 17 ranks
Walter Thür Organ - Svenska Kyrkan (Swedish Seaman's Church) - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
 
Svenska Kyrkan (Swedish Seaman's Church) - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
 
Huvudverk (Manual I) – 56 notes
8
   Principal
56
  
8
   Gedackt
56
  
4
   Oktava
56
  
2
   Waldflöjt
56
  
    Mixtur 3 Chor
168
  
8
   Rörskalmeja
56
  
    Tremulant    
         
Svällverk (Manual II) – 56 notes, enclosed
8
   Rörflöjt
56
  
8
   Fugara
56
  
8
   Voix celeste [e1-g5]
40
  
4
   Spetsgedackt
56
  
2
   Principal
56
  
1 1/3
   Nasat
56
  
    Tremulant    
         
Pedal – 30 notes
16
   Subbas
30
  
8
   Borduna
30
  
4
   Pommer
30
  
         
Koppel
    Ped + I, Ped + II, Man I + II    
   
Walter Thür Organ - Svenska Kyrkan (Swedish Seaman's Church) - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
  

Walter Thür Organ - Svenska Kyrkan (Swedish Seaman's Church) - New York City (Photo: John Rust)

  
Walter Thür Organ - Svenska Kyrkan (Swedish Seaman's Church) - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
         
Svenska Kyrkan (Swedish Seaman's Church) - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
  
Svenska Kyrkan (Swedish Seaman's Church) - New York City (Photo: John Rust)
               
Sources:
     Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     Gray, Christopher. "Streetscapes: Readers' Questions; Fabled Racers, a Brearley Purchase and a Church," The New York Times (Dec. 3, 1989).
     Svenska Kyrkan web site: http://www.swedishchurch.net
     "Swedish Seamen's Home Dedicated," The New York Times (Sep. 26, 1927).
     Wenner, George Unangst. The Lutherans of New York, Their Story and Their Problems. New York: The Petersfield press, 1918.

Illustrations:
     Rust, John. Current building and chapel interior; Walter Thür Organ (1986).