2004-12-15 - The original builder was Austin Organ Co. -Database Manager
2005-12-01 - The organ was originally installed in Gardendale Methodist Church; it was moved here when the congregation merged with Mt. Vernon Methodist in the 1970s. The original free-standing enclosure was installed in a large chamber above the choir loft, set back from the screened opening into the church. -Database Manager
2005-12-01 - According to Mark Hayes, who inspected the organ December 1, 2005, the organ has a new Trombone unit (16 & 8) in the pedal, and a new Principal playing on the Great at 8 & 4, both stops on new chests, unenclosed, and installed at the time of installation here. The original Open Diapason (with some of the leather removed from the lip) remains in place, but it is not wired to play at all now. New Peterson Swell motors were installed, but half of the shades are wired shut. These changes were made when the organ was installed in this location. -Database Manager
2007-03-03 - Updated through online information from James R. Stettner. -- When I visited the organ in January 1988, the organ had 19 speaking stops, and I believe 12-registers/12-ranks. The chimes and harp were missing - or at least not playing. I did not get to examine the chambers and pipes. Every rank seemed to be 61 notes rather than the expected 73 for a 1920's Austin. -Database Manager
2013-07-02 - Updated through online information from Randy Terry. -- When I visited the organ, I was told that the new Principal unit had been made by Aeolian-Skinner pipe maker Tommy Anderson and voiced by A-S head voicer John Hendriksen. The 4' extension was accessed via the "Chimes Damper on/off" tab. I discovered that by accident. The Cornopean was one of the best reeds I've ever experienced, and I was told it had been redone by Trivo. The Principal and Cornopean ranks alone made quite a nice sound. The remaining Austin pipework for the most part was a disappointment. -Database Manager
Stoplist copied from the console January, 1988 Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Gardendale, Alabama
Mt. Vernon United Methodist
Austin Organ Co., Opus 1614, 1928
Howard P. Best, 1970's - Moving, & Tonal Changes
GREAT (Expressive)
8 Open Diapason 61
8 Gedeckt 61
8 Concert Flute 61
8 Flute Celeste (tc) 49
8 Viole d'Orchestre 61
8 Dulciana 61
4 Harmonic Flute 61
Harp
Chimes P
Chimes F
Great 16'
Unison On
Great 4'
SWELL (Expressive)
8 Gedeckt (Gt) --
8 Concert Flute (Gt) --
8 Flute Celeste (Gt) --
8 Viole d'Orchestre (Gt) --
8 Viole Celeste (tc) 49
8 Dulciana (Gt) --
4 Harmonic Flute (Gt) --
8 Cornopean 61
8 Vox Humana 61
Tremolo
Swell 16'
Unison On
Swell 4'
PEDAL
16 Bourdon 32
16 Lieblich Gedeckt 32
8 Bass Flute 12 Extension of the 16' Bourdon
COUPLERS
Swell to Pedal 8,4
Great to Pedal 8,4
Swell to Great 16,8,4
FINGER PISTONS
Not Documented
TOE STUDS
Not Documented
PEDAL MOVEMENTS
Swell Expression (bal.)
Great Expression (bal.)
Crescendo (bal.)
ACTION: Austin Universal E-P Chests ™
VOICES: 12
STOPS: 19
RANKS: 12
PIPES: 662
NOTES
The preceding specification seems to be a "window" in time for this
instrument. It was not in particularly good shape when I visited in
January, 1988. While the assignment of pipes to a given division above
will likely seem odd (if not even wrong), it IS where the pipes were
based on what divisions' expression shoe governed the volume. Neither
the chimes nor harp were playing at the time of my visit. And the
chests were not playing for 73 notes as would be expected for a 1928
Austin.
[Received on line from James R. Stettner January 09, 2010.]
[Editors' Note: With the exception of some additions, the entire organ is enclosed in a free-standing box with horizontal shutters. Because of the placement of the organ in an over-large space, effectiveness of the shutters is difficult to ascertain from the console.]Regrettably, it is not possible to display the information about the sponsor of this pipeorgandatabase entry or if there is a sponsor. Please see About Sponsors on Pipe Organ Database.