Better Pipe Organ Database

Unknown Builder (1948)

First Church of Christ, Scientist
7 Burlington Ave.
Billings, MT

Images

1996-10-11 - Organ chamber grille and console (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)

1996-10-11 - Pipework (l-r): Great 8 Open Diapason, 8 Melodia, 8 Dulciana (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)

1996-10-11 - Pipes: Offset 8 Open Diapason stenciled facade pipes (Photograph by James R. Stettner/Database Manager)

Consoles

Main

Organ type: Traditional With Roll Top
Console position: Console in Fixed Position, Right
2 manuals
8 stops
8 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: None

Notes

2008-08-06 - Updated through on-line information from James R Stettner. -- This was the electrification of the existing T-P Kimball with a new Möller console. May have been done by regional Möller Rep. Eugene Poole. Pedal 16' Bourdon expanded from 30 to 32 pipes with the addition of a 2-note chest and 2 pipes. 1-24 of the Great 8' Open Diapason placed on Möller E-P offset chests. The console still reads "Vox Humana", but that rank has since been replaced with a bright, Trumpet-like 8' Oboe - perhaps a Fagott. Documented: October 11, 1996. -Database Manager

Stoplist

Typed stoplist from James R. Stettner Source: Stoplist copied from the console October 11, 1996 Date not recorded

Billings, Montana
First Church of Christ, Scientist

W.W. KIMBALL CO., ca. 1910
Unknown Builder, 19__ - Moving & Re-installation, & Electrification?
Unknown Builder, 1948 - New Moller console


<u>GREAT (Expressive)</u>                           <u>COUPLERS</u>
8   Open Diapason                61          Swell to Pedal                [8]
8   Clarabella                   61          Great to Pedal                [8]
8   Dulciana                     61
                                             Swell to Great             16,[8],4
Great 4

                                             <u>FINGER PISTONS</u>
<u>SWELL (Expressive)</u>                           None
8   Stopped Diapason             61
8   Gamba                        61
4   Flute d'Amour                61          <u>TOE STUDS</u>
8   Vox Humana                   61          None

Swell 4
                                             <u>PEDAL MOVEMENTS</u>
                                             Expression                   (bal.)
<u>PEDAL (Expressive)</u>                           Crescendo                    (bal.)
16  Bourdon                      32


<u>ACTION</u>: E-P         <u>VOICES</u>: 8         <u>STOPS</u>: 8         <u>RANKS</u>: 8         <u>PIPES</u>: 459


<u>NOTES</u>
This organ was reportedly originally built for an unidentified Theatre in an unidentified
location. As originally installed, the organ was free-standing and encased with the first
24 pipes of the Great 8' Open Diapason unenclosed and in the facade. They are stenciled in
maroon and dusty pink with gold tracery. The original playing action was tubular-pneumatic.

The organ was moved to First Church of Christ, Scientist at an unknown date and by an unknown
person or firm. Whether it was electrified at this time or when it got a new console later is
unclear. In 1948, the organ received a new Möller console. The first 24 pipes of the Great
Open Diapason were moved to a new Möller offset chest. Two new pipes and a 2-note chest were
also provided to expand the Pedal 16' Bourdon from 30 to 32 notes. The original 8' Vox Humana
has been replaced by a bright, trumpet-like 8' Oboe.

<u>Sources</u>: JRS; extant organ


First Church of Christ, Scientist
7 Burlington Ave.
Billings, MT. 59101
(406) 259-0535                               <u>Documented</u>: October 11, 1996

Related Pipe Organ Database Entries

#36433 - Unknown Builder