Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2005-02-28 - Identified from company publications as edited and expanded in <i>The Hook Opus List 1829-1935</i>, ed. William T. Van Pelt (Organ Historical Society, 1991). -Database Manager
2014-02-07 - Updated through online information from Larry Kazsloka. -Database Manager
2021-02-15 - Construction on this large and imposing neo-gothic building began in 1871 and was completed in 1877 with one of the four largest organs H&H built during Hastings' first decade as influential partner. The Patrick Keeley ediface is vast, seating 2,000 with a ceiling height of 65 feet. The church was founded by a Jesuit order from Montreal, and the specification was originally developed by one of the Jesuit fathers of that order, and the newspaper account of the installation noted the spec was further refined and enlarged "by Mr. J.G. Lennon of this city". The case, along with the pulpit, side altars, and pews, were made by M.C. Pratt of Lowell. While recognizably in the Hook standard style, there are individual differences that stand out: Scharff instead of Acuta, Swell Gedackt instead of Stopped Diapason, Mixture instead of Cornet, tin Dulciana instead of Aeoline, Octave Harmonique instead of Flautino, Flute a cheminee instead of Melodia or Stopped Diapason, Bombarde instead of Trombone, and a Choir that overall is atypical for Hook of any era. One suspects these were fanciful names for standard Hook stops and didn't necessarily denote departures from normal Hook scaling and voicing. As found in most large organs the Hooks built for Catholic churches, the console was detached and reversed so the organist did not have their back to the altar. The Great keyaction and couplers had a Barker machine assist.The organ was eventually electrified poorly, which began a steady downhill slide of interventions and shoddy rebuildings. The church was redecorated during the 40s and the windows were completely replaced in 1954, including a large compliment of religious-themed windows behind the organ. The history of the decline of this organ is not yet known to me, but I suspect that with imagery more important than organs in many catholic churches, the organ may have been taken down at this point, if it had not already been removed, and relegated to large grilled-covered chambers on each side of the gallery speaking into the side aisels. A note to me from Ed Boadway in 1994 said the organ had been completely ruined but fragments still existed. During the 1970s, the parish fortunes declined for a period as regional neighborhoods surrounding the church changed their composition. After age and neglected maintenance had taken its toll, the upper church was closed due to falling plaster, and in 2004, the church embarked on a massive $7.3 Million restoration which was completed in 2016. This architecturally stunning church was outfitted with a large imitation instrument in 2016 and any remaining traces of former pipe material were completely swept away. -Scot Huntington
2021-02-17 - Local Allen Dealer advertises a new electronic installation in 2015. -Paul R. Marchesano
Information provided to me by Ed Boadway in 1994. Source: Lowell Daily Courier June 9, 1877
E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings (No. 868, 1877) Immaculate Conception R.C. Church Lowell, Massachusetts Compasses: 58/30 Barker assistance to the Great and its couplers. Console detached 4' from case, reversed, and elevated. GREAT 16' Open Diapason 8' Open Diapason 8' Viola di Gamba 8' Doppel Flote [wood] 8' Melodia [wood] 8' Dolce [prepared for] 4' Octave 4' Flute Harmonique 2 2/3' Twelfth 2' Fifteenth 5 rks. Mixture 5 rks. Scharff 16' Trumpet 8' Trumpet 4' Clarion SWELL 16' Bourdon [wood] 8' Open Diapason 8' Gedackt [wood] 8' Salicional 8' Dulciana [tin] 4' Flauto Traverso [wood] 4' Violina 2' Octave Harmonique 3 rks. Mixture 16' Fagotto [prepared for] 8' Cornopean 8' Oboe 8' Vox Humana SOLO 16' Lieblich Gedackt [prepared for] 8' Geigen Principal 8' Flauto Traverso [wood] 8' Viola [tin] 8' Flute a cheminee [metal] 4' Octave 4' Flute d'Amour [metal] 2' Piccolo 8' Clarinet PEDAL 32' Bourdon [prepared for] 16' Open Diapason [wood] 16' Violone [wood] 16' Bourdon [wood] 12' Quinte [wood] 8' Octave [prepared for] 8' Violincello 16' Bombarde [wood] MECHANICAL REGISTERS Great Organ Separation [on/off pistons] Swell to pneumatic coupler [on/off pistons] Solo to pneumatic coupler [on/off pistons] Swell to Solo Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal Solo to Pedal Swell Tremolo Bellows Signal PEDAL MOVEMENTS, all with appropriate pedal stops GREAT: Fortissimo with full pedal, Forte, Piano SWELL: Forte, Pianissimo SOLO: Forte, Piano Great to Pedal reversible Balanced Swell pedal
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