Better Pipe Organ Database

Austin Organ Co. Opus 1153 (1923)

First Baptist Church
30 Park St.
Methuen, MA

Images

Before 1975 - Exterior before steeple was removed (Photograph from an archival source: Methuen History, submitted by Andrew Scanlon/Andrew Scanlon)

2022-04-19 - Church exterior (Photograph by Andrew Scanlon/Andrew Scanlon )

2024-08-30 - Console (Andrew Scanlon/Scanlon Andrew)

2024-08-30 - Austin nameplate (Andrew Scanlon/Scanlon Andrew)

2024-08-30 - Swell and Great stop tabs (Andrew Scanlon/Scanlon Andrew)

2024-08-30 - Pedal stop tabs (Andrew Scanlon/Scanlon Andrew)

2024-08-30 - Chancel showing console at right corner (Andrew Scanlon/Scanlon Andrew)

2024-08-30 - Interior to front (Andrew scanlon/Scanlon Andrew)

2024-08-30 - Interior to rear (Andrew Scanlon/Andrew Scanlon)

2024-08-30 - Chancel and organ chamber screen (Andrew Scanlon/Andrew Scanlon)

Consoles

Main

Organ type: Traditional With Roll Top
Console position: Console in Fixed Position, Right
2 manuals
12 stops
16 registers
3 divisions
Key action Type: Electrical
Stop action Type: Electrical
Stop layout Type: Stop Keys Above Top Manual
Manual compass: 61 notes
Pedal compass: 32 notes
Pedal Type: Concave Radiating (Meeting AGO Standards)
Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Meeting AGO Standards)
Has crescendo
Combination action: Adjustable Combination Pistons
Has combination thumb pistons
Has combination toe pistons
Has coupler toe pistons
Has tutti toe pistons

Notes

2005-01-07 - Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. website, accessed December 29, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm. -Database Manager

2009-06-07 - Updated through online information from James R. Stettner. -- The Great 4' Gemshorn was reworked by E. A. Kelley, then of Lowell, MA, into more of a 4' Octave to help improve the non-existent principal chorus. When I visited this organ in March, 1989, the Oboe wasn't playing. I found it laid out across the top of the baptistery. -Database Manager

Stoplist

Stoplist copied from the console March, 1989 Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded

Methuen, Massachusetts
First Baptist Church

Austin Organ Co., Opus 1153, 1923 - Original Specifications

GREAT
   16'  Bourdon                     73
   8'   Open Diapason               73
   8'   Clarabella                  73
   8'   Dulciana                    73
   4'   Gemshorn                    73   Revoiced by E. A. Kelley.
        Chimes                (Sw)  --
   Great to Great 16'
   Great Unison Off
   Great to Great 4'

SWELL (Expressive)
   8'   Open Diapason               73
   8'   Rohr Flute                  73   Stopped wood.
   8'   Viole d'Orchestre           73
   8'   Echo Salicional             73
   4'   Harmonic Flute              73
   8'   Oboe                        73
        Tremolo
        Chimes                     (  )
   Swell to Swell 16'
   Swell Unison Off
   Swell to Swell 4'

PEDAL
   16'  Open Diapason               32   Wood.
   16'  Bourdon               (Gt)  --
   8'   Flute                       12   Extension of the 16' Op. Diap.

COUPLERS
   Swell to Pedal                  8
   Great to Pedal                  8
   Swell to Great               16,8,4

FINGER PISTONS
   General                       1 - 8
   Swell                         1 - 8
   Great                         1 - 8

TOE STUDS
   General                      9 - 12
   Pedal                         1 - 4
   Gt. - Ped.                    (rev)
   Sforz.                        (rev)

PEDAL MOVEMENTS
   Swell Expression             (bal.)
   Crescendo                    (bal.)

ACTION: E-P primary; Austin Universal Windchest ™
VOICES: 12
STOPS: 16; inc. chimes
RANKS: 12
PIPES: 847  

 [Received on line from James R. Stettner June 07, 2009.]