Better Pipe Organ Database

Austin Organ Co. Opus 1528 (1928)

First Church of Christ, Scientist: Sanctuary
191 N. Chester
Birmingham, MI

Note: Not playable. (in this location)

Images

Unknown - 1950 building exterior (Photograph by Church website, submitted by Jeff Scofield/Jeff Scofield)

Unknown - 1911 building exterior (Photograph by Church website, submitted by Jeff Scofield/Jeff Scofield)

Consoles

Main

Organ type: Traditional With Roll Top
3 manuals
21 stops
23 registers
4 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)
Combination action: Adjustable Combination Pistons

Notes

2005-01-08 - Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. web site, accessed December 31, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm. -Database Manager

2010-03-15 - Updated through on-line information from Ray Ahrens. -- Replaced by an electronic. -Database Manager

2015-09-27 - Updated through online information from Dan Dillingham. -- The organ was increased to 28 ranks by Austin in the 1960's. At that time the Great was removed from the Choir box and was unenclosed. The following were added: Gt: Principal 2' and Mixture IV Sw: Oboe 4' Ch: Unda Maris 8' added; Clarinet 8' removed and replaced by Krummhorn 8' About 6 years ago the console was removed and replaced by three manual Allen. The pipes are still in the chamber but are no longer used. In 2015 the church was sold to a private developer and plans are underway to build a new auditorium in the back of the present reading room which is located on Maple Road in Birmingham. The developer has given no move out date for the present church. The music committee has tried to find a home for the pipes but nothing has currently happened. The present church has seating for over 400, the proposed new church (in the reading room) will seat about 75 so there are no plans to move the Austin there. -Database Manager

2018-03-06 - The pipes were removed in late January, 2018, by J. Granger & Associates Organ Builders (information from a Facebook post by the company) and placed in storage. -Database Manager

2023-01-26 - The organ was installed in their 1911 building; in 1950, the congregation and organ moved into a new colonial-style building, where they remained until the building was sold in 2012. -Jeff Scofield

Stoplist

Stoplist copied from The Diapason September 1927 Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded

   Birmingham, Michigan
   First Church of Christ, Scientist

   Austin   Op. 1528   1928   3/21
   _______________________________________________

   GREAT (*enclosed)           SWELL
8' Open Diapason   73      16' Bourdon          73
8' Stopped Flute   73       8' Open Diapason    73
8' Gemshorn        73 *     8' Stopped Diapason 73
4' Principal       73 *     8' Salicional       73   
4' Harmonic Flute  73 *     8' Voix Celeste     73
   Sub                      8' Aeoline          73
   Unison Off               4' Flauto Traverso  73
   Super                    8' Cornopean        73
   Chimes          25 *     8' Vox Humana       73
                               Tremulant
   CHOIR                       Sub
8' Violin Diapason 73          Unison Off
8' Melodia         73          Super
8' Dulciana        73          Chimes           GT
4' Lieblichflöte   73
8' Clarinet        73          ECHO (prepared for)
   Tremulant
   Sub                         PEDAL
   Unison Off              16' Open Diapason    32
   Super                   16' Bourdon          32
   Chimes          GT      16' Lieblich Gedeckt SW
   Harp            pf       8' Stopped Flute    12

  [Received from Jeff Scofield July 6, 2014]