Victoria Congregational Church - Jamaica, N.Y.
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Victoria Congregational Church
(United Church of Christ)

144-64 87th Avenue at 148th Street
Jamaica (Queens), N.Y. 11435


The Victoria Congregational Church was established on June 17, 1917. Early services were held in a small borrowed building, described by the Church's treasurer as "a portable, unsanitary, over-crowded, leaky building." After several years of fundraising, the present stone Gothic-style church and parish hall were built at a cost of $51,000. The completed facilities were dedicated on Sunday, March 18, 1923.

For the next twenty years, Victoria Congregational grew and reached heights of membership. With strong leadership, abundance of families, generous optimism of spirit, it overcame the sufferings of the Great Depression and the misery of World War II.

Beginning in the 1940s, the demographics of the area began to change as many residents moved to Garden City, the Hempsteads, Manhasset and other points east. With the influx of new residents and cultures, community conflicts erupted, and huge sections of Jamaica burned with the rising indignities against our brothers and sisters. By the time the second half of the 20th century was underway a new neighborhood had sprung up around the church. Victoria was pressed to look within itself and discover new missions to the community.

Today, Victoria Congregational Church is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, and welcomes a diverse membership from its community.
           
Estey Organ Company
Brattleboro, Vt. – Opus 2433 (1925)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 16 stops, 14 ranks


The following specification was recorded in 1979 by Larry Trupiano of Brooklyn. Pipecounts and accessories were not included but are suggested here, based on similar Estey organs of the era.
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Open Diapason
61
8
   Melodia
61
8
   Dulciana
61
4
   Flute d'Amour
61
               
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
73
8
  Aeoline
73
8
   Open Diapason
73
8
   Gedeckt
73
8
   Salicional
73
4
   Flute Harmonic
73
8
   Voix Celeste [TC]
61
8
   Oboe
73
8
   Gamba
73
  Tremolo  
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Bourdon
44
8
  
Bass Flute [from Bdn.]
—
16
   Lieblich Gedeckt *
20
 
           
* 12 notes from SW Bourdon
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8, 4   Great to Great 16, 4, Unison Sep.
    Swell to Pedal 8, 4   Swell to Swell 16', 4', Unison Sep.
    Swell to Great 16, 8, 4    
               
Adjustable Combinations
    unknown  
               
Pedal Movements (suggested)
    Balanced Great Pedal   Great to Pedal Reversible
    Balanced Swell Pedal   Sforzando Reversible with Ind.
    Balanced Crescendo Pedal    
           
Sources:
    The Estey Pipe Organ web site: www.esteyorgan.com
    Trupiano, Larry. Stoplist of Estey Organ, Op. 2433 (1925).

Illustration:
    Google Street View: Exterior.