Better Pipe Organ Database

Methuen Organ Co. (1915)

Residence: Edward F. Searles "Pine Lodge" / Presentation of Mary Convent: Ballroom (later, Chapel)
209 Lawrence St.
Methuen, MA

Images

around 1960 - Room organized as a chapel for the Presentation of Mary Sisters (the organ area is behind the pews on the right hand side) (Photograph from an archival source: Digital Commonwealth, submitted by Andrew Scanlon/Andrew Scanlon)

2010-01-25 - Organ case and console (Photograph by Len Levasseur/Database Manager)

1989-04-13 - Facade and upper case (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)

1989-04-13 - Console and lower facade (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)

1989-04-13 - Upper casework detail (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)

1972-10-22 - Organ (PHotograph by Jim Lewis/Database Manager)

Consoles

Main

Organ type: Traditional Without Cover
Console position: Console in Fixed Position, Center
2 manuals
28 stops
28 registers
3 divisions
Key action Type: Mechanical With Pneumatic Assists
Stop action Type: Mechanical
Stop layout Type: Drawknobs in Horizontal Rows on Terraced/Stepped Jambs
Manual compass: 56 notes
Pedal compass: 29 notes
Pedal Type: Flat Straight
Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Details Unknown)
Combination action: Fixed Mechanical

Notes

2004-10-30 - From Broadway Tabernacle, NYC. Rebuilt Methuen c. 1900. Former Great and Swell divisions. -Database Manager

2009-06-07 - Updated through online information from James R. Stettner. -- This was the installation of the Great, Swell, and Pedal portions of the Broadway Tabernacle Ferris & Stuart (1859) from New York City with tonal changes, additions and new casework. -Database Manager

2021-05-12 - I visited and played this instrument on May 12, 2021. The organ is tall, narrow and visually quite imposing. I was surprised by how gentle the overall sound is. Even the full organ with reeds & mixtures is quite soft. The key action is completely functional and easy to play and all the couplers work. Two stops, the swell Salicional 8' and the pedal Open Diapason 16' were completely silent. I don't know whether they were disconnected at some point. The tremulant also appeared to be non-functional. This entire estate, formerly known as "Pine Lodge," and currently the "Presentation of Mary Convent" is for sale. The organ is generally in good condition, and almost completely playable, but does need tuning and other maintenance. On my visit, Sr. Janice Perrault indicated that the organ was played daily until 2 years ago, when most of the nuns of the Presentation of Mary were moved to another home in Hudson, NH. Only five nuns live on site in a separate "provincial house" in order to keep the property from being uninhabited. The newer portions of the convent/academy recently became home to the "Christo Rey" Catholic High School (formerly located at St. Mary's in Lawrence, MA). The nuns indicate they intend to vet buyers to be sure the historic property will be protected. -Andrew Scanlon

Stoplist

Original document from James R. Stettner. Source: Stoplist copied from the console April 13, 1989 2018-08-09

Methuen, Massachuestts
Residence: Edward F. Searles "Pine Lodge" / Presentation of Mary Convent & School

METHUEN ORGAN CO., James E. Treat, 1915 – 16 - Original Specifications


GREAT                                        COUPLERS (Drawknob)
   16    Open Diapason              56          Sw. to Ped.
   8     Open Diapason              56          Gr. to Ped.
   8     Bell Gamba                 56
   8     Hohl Flute                 56          Sw. to Gr.
   8     Dulciana                   56
   4     Octave                     56
   4     Flute Harmonic             56 *     FOOT LEVERS (Blind; labeled; l-r)
   2-2/3 Twelfth                    56          Sw. P.
   2     Fifteenth                  56
   III   Mixture                   168          Sw. F.
   8     Trumpet                    56 *
   4     Clarion                    56 *        Sw. F.F.

                                                Sw. Release
SWELL (Expressive)
   16    Bourdon                    56          Gr. to Ped.                   (rev)
   8     Open Diapason              56
   8     Stopped Diapason           56          Gr. P.
   8     Salicional                 56
   8     Dolce                      56 *        Gr. F.
   8     Principal  [actually 4']   56
   2     Fifteenth                  56          Gr. Release
   III   Cornet     [now only II]  112
   8     Trumpet                    56          General Release
   8     Oboe                       56
   8     Vox Humana                 56
         Tremolo                             PEDAL MOVEMENTS
                                                Swell Expression             (bal.)

PEDAL
   16    Open Diapason              29       ACTION: Mech. Key & Stop; Barker Asst.
   16    Bell Gamba                 29
   16    Bourdon                    29       STOPS: 28           REGISTERS: 28
   8     Violincel'o                29
   16    Trombone                   29       RANKS: 31           PIPES: 1,601


NOTES
This organ, in part, is from the 1859 Ferris & Stuart organ built for Broadway Tabernacle
in New York City. That organ was unique in that the Choir was encased in Rückpositiv
position on the gallery rail.

The entire 3-manual organ was rebuilt by the Methuen Organ Co. in 1915 and reinstalled as
two separate instruments in the Pine Lodge estate of Edward F. Searles in Methuen, MA. 
The Great and Swell became the ballroom [now, Chapel] organ, and the 'chair' Choir became
the 1-manual library instrument. Stops marked with an asterisk (*) above were new at the
time of the 1915 rebuild. The Swell 8' Vox Humana appears to be the original Cremona
altered and rebuilt. The Swell III Cornet is now II-ranks and pitched at 12-17.

Sources: Andover Organ Co. files; JRS; extant organ


“Chapel Organ”
Presentation of Mary Convent & School
209 Lawrence St.
Methuen, MA. 01844
(508) 685-5032                               Documented: April 13, 1989Methuen, Massachusetts
Presentation of Mary Convent

METHUEN ORGAN CO., James E. Treat, 1915 - Original Specifications


MANUAL (Expressive)                          COUPLERS (Drawknob)
   [8]  Open Diapason               56          Gr. to Ped.
   [8]  Doppel Flote                56
   [8]  Stop Diapason               56          Octave Coupler
   [8]  Dulce                       56
    4   Violin   [actually 8']      56
   [4]  Principal                   56       FOOT LEVERS (Blind; labeled; l-r)
   [4]  Rohr Flute                  56          Piano – 8' SD, 8' Dul; 16' Bourdon
   [8]  Oboe                        56
                                                Forte – 8,8,8,8,8,4,4.    [no Oboe]

PEDAL                                           Reversible            (Gr. to Ped.)
   [16] Bourdon                     27

                                             PEDAL MOVEMENTS
                                                Swell Expression             (bal.)


ACTION: Mech. Key & Stop      STOPS:   9    REGISTERS: 9      RANKS: 9      PIPES: 475


NOTES
This organ, in part, is from the 1859 Ferris & Stuart organ built for Broadway Tabernacle
in New York City. That organ was unique in that the Choir was encased in Rückpositiv
position on the gallery rail.

The entire 3-manual organ was rebuilt by the Methuen Organ Co. in 1915 and reinstalled
as two separate instruments in the Pine Lodge estate of Edward F. Searles in Methuen,
MA. The Great and Swell became the ballroom [now, Chapel] organ, and the 'chair' Choir
became the 1-manual library instrument.

The case is original, and the [8] Open Diapason, [8] Stop Diapason, and [4] Principal
also seem to be original. The manual, key cheeks, and stopknobs appear to be from the
original Ferris & Stuart.

Sources: Andover Organ Co. files; JRS; extant organ


“Library Organ”
Presentation of Mary Convent & School
209 Lawrence St.
Methuen, MA. 01844
(508) 685-5032                               Documented: April 13, 1989

Related Pipe Organ Database Entries

#10440†* - Ferris & Stuart (1859)