Episcopal Church of the Ascension - Staten Island, N.Y.
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Church of the Ascension
(Episcopal)

1 Kingsley Avenue
New Brighton, Staten Island, N.Y. 10314
http://ascensionsi.org/

Organ Specifications:
1 Kingsley Avenue (since 1949)
► II/13 Austin Organs Inc., Op. 2524 (1970)
• II/ Baldwin electronic
Manor Road (1930-1949)
• unknown
Shore Road (Richmond Terrace & Van Street (1871-1930)
Second building (1802-1930)
• II/ William H. Davis (1906) – reb. of Ferris & Stuart
• Ferris & Stuart (1871)
First building (1802-1871)
• unknown


The Episcopal Church of the Ascension can trace its beginnings back to 1802, when Trinity Chapel was built upon a lot of land on the North Shore. Trinity Chapel was under the care of St. Andrew's Church in Richmond, and its rector, Rev. Richard Channing Moore, officiated at Trinity Chapel until he left the parish. After his departure, his son, Rev. David Moore, succeeded as rector, remaining until shortly before his death. He was assisted by several other clergymen employed for this purpose. Following Rev. Moore's death, services were conducted by several clergymen temporarily engaged until May 1869, when another parish was organized and Trinity Chapel became the Church of the Ascension. The first rector after the organization was Rev. Theodore Irving, L.L.D., of Newburgh. Under his leadership the congregation increased greatly in numbers and the old frame building was found to be insufficient. Plans were made for the erection of a new church.

1871 building of Episcopal Church of the Ascension - Staten Island, N.Y.  
Congregation in front of 1871 Church  
On August 30, 1870, the cornerstone of the new edifice was laid with appropriate ceremonies. Built of Staten Island granite, the new church was cruciform in shape and included several beautiful memorial windows. The facade was flanked by a turret in the northeast corner, and a tower and spire that soared 115 feet in the northwest corner. The completed church was first opened for service on Ascension Day, May 16, 1871. A cemetery adjoined the church.

By 1930, the congregation had relocated to the Van Clief mansion on Manor Road, and the old church was deconsecrated. The present church, a brick structure located on Kingsley Avenue, was dedicated in March 1949.
           
Austin Organ Company
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 2524 (1970)
Electro-pneumatic action
2 manuals, 19 registers, 11 stops, 13 ranks
               
Great Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
   Principal
61
     Mixture II-III ranks
171
8
   Rohr Gedeckt
SW
     Chimes  
8
   Gemshorn
SW
     Great 16', Unison Off, 4'
4
   Octave
61
     Swell to Great 16, 8, 4
4
   Spitz Flöte
SW
      
 
      
 
      
Swell Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
   Rohr Gedeckt
61
1 1/3
   Larigot
61
8
   Gemshorn
61
8
   Fagot
61
8
   Gemshorn Celeste (TC)
49
     Tremulant  
4
   Spitz Flöte
61
     Swell 16', Unison Off, 4'  
2
   Block Flöte
61
        
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
   Bourdon (ext. SW)
12
4
   Gedeckt
SW
8
   Spitz Principal
44
16
   Fagot (L/2, ext. SW)
12
8
   Gedeckt
SW
     Great to Pedal 8', 4'
 
4
   Principal (fr. 8' Spitz Princ.)
—
 
   Swell to Pedal 8', 4'  
               
Accessories
    Balanced Swell Pedal    
    Crescendo Pedal    
           
Organ in second building:

William H. Davis
New York City (1906)
Unknown action
2 manuals


In 1906, William H. Davis of New York City rebuilt the 1871 Ferris & Stuart organ. Specifications of this organ have not yet been located.
           
Organ in second building:

Ferris & Stuart
New York City (1871)
Mechanical action
2 manuals


The original organ in the second building was built in 1871 by Ferris & Stuart of New York City. Specifications of this organ have not yet been located.
 
Sources:
     Bayles, Richard M., ed. History of Richmond County (Staten Island), New York, From its Discovery to the Present Time. New York: L. E. Preston & Co., 1887.
     Church of the Ascension website: http://ascensionsi.org/
     Clute, J. J. Annals of Staten Island, From its Discovery to the Present Time. New York: Chas. Vogt, 1877.
     Harkins, Jim, and Cecelia N. Brunner. West Brighton. New York: Arcadia Publishing, 2011.
     Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001.
     Trupiano, Larry. Specification of Austin Organ, Op. 2524 (1970).

Illustrations:
     Church of the Ascension website. Exterior of present building.
     Harkins, Jim, and Cecelia N. Brunner. West Brighton. Undated photo of congregation and 1871 church.