Good Shepherd United Methodist Church - Astoria (Queens), NY
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Good Shepherd United Methodist Church

30-44 Crescent Street at 30th Road
Astoria (Queens), N.Y. 11102
http://goodshepherdastoria.yolasite.com/


Organ Specifications:
30-44 Crescent Street and 30th Road (since 1911)
Present building (since 1911)
• II/ Baldwin Piano Company electronic organ
► II/21 M.P. Möller, Op. 1062 (1910)
First building (1886-1908)
• unknown
Main Avenue at Astoria Boulevard (1844-1886)
• unknown

The congregation known today as Good Shepherd United Methodist Church can trace its root back to 1836 when a small group of Methodists in the part of Queens now known as Astoria formed classes and held meetings in members' homes. In 1841, the group was chartered as the First Methodist Episcopal Church. During the next year the cornerstone was laid for the first church building that was erected on a site near the junction of Main Avenue and Astoria Boulevard. This building was completed three years later and exists today as apartments and commercial space.

1886 building of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Astoria (Queens), NY  
In 1886, the society built their second church, a wooden structure located at the corner of Crescent Street and 30th Road, where they flourished for the next 22 years. In 1902, the mortgage was burned, and over the next few years plans were made for a new church building. In 1908, the old 1886 building was put on log rollers and moved by a team of horses to the southwest corner of 21st Street and 31st Road where it became home to St. Paul's Methodist Church. The 1886 building exists today as San Pablo United Methodist Church.

The cornerstone of the present stone building was laid in 1908, but it would not be completed until 1911, due to various delays with contractors. In the interim, the congregation met temporarily in the original building of what is known today as Mount Sinai Hospital and in the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer. Finally, on October 30, 1911, the new building was dedicated by a grateful congregation. The cornerstone of the adjoining Community House was laid in 1931 and the building was completed a few years later.

In 1970, the congregation began to share its facilities with the Korean United Methodist Church of Astoria, and in 1982, the congregation of St. Paul's United Methodist Church – who had worshipped in First Church's second building – merged into First Church. It was at this time that the combined congregation was renamed for the Good Shepherd, as seen in the north-facing stained glass window in the sanctuary. The building is also used as a rehearsal and performance space by the Astoria Performing Arts Center.
           
Baldwin Piano Company
Baldwin, Wisc.
Electronic tonal production
2 manuals


At some point, the 1910 Möller organ was replaced by a Baldwin electronic organ. This organ was removed in 2009.
         
  M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 1062 (1910) in the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church - Astoria (Queens), NY
M.P. Möller, Inc.
Hagerstown, Md. – Opus 1062 (1910)
Tubular-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 22 stops, 21 ranks





In a contract dated November 10, 1909, the M.P. Möller Company agreed to build a two-manual and pedal organ for the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Astoria. The organ would have tubular-pneumatic action powered by an electric blower. Möller provided casing of quartered oak, but no mention was made concerning display or front pipes. The organ was to be complete and ready for use on or before March 15, 1910. Although the cost was listed as $4,500, Möller indicated that they would discount the organ with a $1,000 "donation" and would pay half the cost of the expert, "not to exceed $50.00."

At an unknown time, the Möller organ was removed although the case was retained.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, partially enclosed
8
   Open Diapason [unenclosed]
61
8
   Dulciana
61
8
   Gamba
61
4
   Harmonic Flute
61
8
   Doppel Floete
61
4
   Octave  
 
     
 
     
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
73
4
   Flauto Traverso
73
8
  Open Diapason
73
  Dolce Cornet III ranks
219
8
   Salicional
73
8
  Oboe
73
8
   Voix Celeste
73
8
   Cornopean
73
8
   Aeoline
73
8
   Vox Humana (sep. box)
61
8
   Concert Flute
73
        
               
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
16
   Open Diapason [unit]
44
8
   Octave
—
16
   Sub Bass [unit]
42
8
   Flute
—
16
   Bourdon
SW
        
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8'   Great to Great 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8'   Swell to Swell 16', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'    
               
Mechanicals
    Great Tremolo       Wind Indicator  
    Swell Tremolo       Crescendo Indicator  
               
Adjustable Combination Pistons
    Pistons No. 1-2-3 affecting Great Organ stops  
    Pistons No. 1-2-3 affecting Swell Organ stops  
               
Pedal Movements
    Balanced Great Pedal   Sforzando Reversible
    Balanced Swell Pedal   Swell to Pedal Reversible
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal   Great to Pedal Reversible
           
Sources:
     Long Island City. Greater Astoria Historical Society, Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2007.
     Sohm, The Rev. Bette. Electronic correspondence (Sep. 3, 2009) regarding status of the M.P. Möller organ.
     Trupiano, Larry. Specifications of M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 1062 (1910).
     Wilson, Linda J. "Astoria UM Church Hails Building's 100th Year," The Queens Gazette, November 12, 2008.

Illustrations:
     Google map. Exterior.
     skyAVpro web site: www.skyavpro.com/: Interior showing M.P. Möller Organ, Op. 1062 (1910).
     Undated postcard. 1886 church exterior.