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Free Synagogue of Flushing
41-60 Kissena Boulevard
Flushing (Queens), N.Y. 11355
http://www.freesynagogue.org
Founded in 1917, the Free Synagogue of Flushing stands proudly in the nest of one of the most diverse ethnic neighborhoods in the country. As the oldest Reform Synagogue in Queens, N.Y., it came into existence through the efforts of the Hebrew Woman’s Aid Society of Flushing. The “Free Synagogue” movement is based on four principals: freedom of the pulpit for the rabbi; freedom of the pew- no reserved seating in the sanctuary; direct, full participation of the community; and dedication to the ideals of liberal democracy, commitment to the Jewish faith, to Zionism and the State of Israel. Our founders’ belief in commitment, freedom and equality of the sexes remaining guiding principals today. When the property on the corner of Sanford Avenue and Kissena Boulevard was purchased, downtown Flushing was about to emerge from its bucolic roots into a bustling community. The construction of the Queensboro Bridge and Queens Boulevard already brought the borough out of isolation. The subway system went as far as Corona and would reach Flushing by 1928. From the end of World War II through the 1920s, Queens underwent a population explosion of 130%.
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| Hoffman Mansion |
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| Undated postcard showing Hoffman Mansion and Flushing Free Synagogue |
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The first Synagogue house was the stately pillared Hoffman Mansion,
which stood on a corner of the lot. It was moved to Sanford Avenue
in 1926 to make room for the grand structure which is home to the
Free Synagogue of Flushing today. This neo-classic sanctuary designed
by Maruice Courland features a massive portico supported by four
Roman-style pillars and topped by a pediment inscribed with the words
of Isaiah, "For mine house shall be called a house of prayer for
all people."
A walk up the stately steps leads into a magnificent sanctuary where dark green wood pillars are graced with intricate gold-leaf filigree. Stained glass windows, crafted in Czechoslovakia, surround the sanctuary in rich radiant colors and crown the domed ceiling with a Star of David. In 1964, a three-story school building was added to accommodate the religious school and adult education classes. |
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M. P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 4916 (1927)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 32 registers, 16 stops, 16 ranks
The Memorandum of Agreement (Jan. 12, 1927) between M.P. Möller and the Free Synagogue of Flushing, L.I., shows that Möller would build a new organ for a consideration of $7,200, that would be ready for use on or before June 1, 1927. Möller provided a detached three-manual stop-key console and casing of quartered oak. Wind pressure for the organ was set at 5". The organ has been altered since its installation. |
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Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
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8 |
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Open Diapason |
61 |
8 |
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Viole d'Gamba |
73 |
8 |
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Doppel Flöte |
73 |
4 |
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Octave (fr. Eng. O.D.) |
CH |
8 |
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Melodia |
73 |
4 |
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Flute Harmonic (fr. Concert Fl.) |
CH |
8 |
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Dulciana |
73 |
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Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
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16 |
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Bourdon |
97 |
8 |
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Salicional |
73 |
8 |
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Gedeckt (fr. 16' Bdn.) |
— |
8 |
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Vox Celeste (TC) |
61 |
4 |
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Orchestral Flute (fr. 16' Bdn.) |
— |
4 |
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Salicet (fr. 8') |
— |
2 2/3 |
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Flute Twelfth (fr. 16' Bdn.) |
— |
8 |
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Oboe |
73 |
2 |
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Flautina (fr. 16' Bdn.) |
— |
8 |
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Vox Humana |
61 |
8 |
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Open Diapason |
73 |
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Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
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8 |
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English Open Diapason |
73 |
8 |
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Unda Maris (TC) |
61 |
8 |
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Concert Flute |
73 |
8 |
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Viole d'Gamba |
GT |
8 |
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Doppel Flöte |
GT |
4 |
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Flute Traverso (fr. Melodia) |
GT |
8 |
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Dulciana |
GT |
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Pedal Organ – 32 notes
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32 |
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Resultant |
— |
8 |
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Octave (fr. 16' Open Diap.) |
— |
16 |
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Open Diapason |
44 |
8 |
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Flute (fr. 16' Bourdon) |
— |
16 |
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Bourdon |
44 |
8 |
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Violoncello (fr. Viole d'Gamba) |
GT |
16 |
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Lieblich Gedeckt |
SW |
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Couplers
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Great to Pedal |
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Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4' |
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Swell to Pedal |
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Choir to Swell 16', 8', 4' |
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Choir to Pedal |
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Great 16', 4', Unison |
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Swell to Great 16', 8', 4' |
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Swell 16', 4', Unison |
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Choir to Great 16', 8', 4' |
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Choir 16', 4', Unison |
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Mechanicals
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Great Tremulant |
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Choir Tremulant |
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Swell Tremulant |
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Crescendo Indicator |
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Adjustable Combinations
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| Great Stops |
Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb) |
| Swell Stops |
Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb) |
| Choir Stops |
Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb) |
| Pedal Stops |
Pistons 1-2-3-4-5 (thumb) |
| Full Organ |
Pistons 1-2-3 (thumb) |
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Pedal Movements
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Great to Pedal Reversible |
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Balanced Expression Pedal, Swell Organ |
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Balanced Expression Pedal, Great-Choir Organ |
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Grand Crescendo Pedal |
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Sforzando Pedal |
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Sources:
Driscoll, James for the Voelker Orth Museum, Bird Sanctuary, and Victorian Garden. Flushing 1880–1935 (Postcard History Series). Charleston, S.C. Arcadia Publishing, 2005.
Free Synagogue of Flushing web site: http://www.freesynagogue.org/
Trupiano, Larry. Factory Specification (Jan. 12, 1927) of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 4916.
Ilustrations:
Driscoll, James. Flushing 1880–1935. Undated postcard of Hoffman Mansion and Flushing Free Synagogue.
Forgotten New York web site: www.forgotten-ny.com. Synagogue exterior; Hoffman mansion.
Free Synagogue of Flushing web site: interior. |
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