Unknown - Nave, Gallery, and Organ Case (Vintage Postcard (ca. 1900); image courtesy of William Dunklin/Database Manager)
Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2006-12-31 - Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- The case has remained and at times been modified throughout the church's history. -Database Manager
2014-12-01 - Updated through online information from John McCraney. -- The following is from Williams, George A., ST. MICHAEL'S,CHARLESTON 1751-1951, Chapter VIII, pp. 218-33 and BEESLEY'S ILLUSTRATED GUIDE ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, CHARLESTON. The former has several photos of the organ case, while the latter is all photos with facing page commentary. They both show the case both before and after the Austin 1910 enlargement. <br>[I have a conjectural stoplist based upon four known stops (Great Open Diapason 16' and Stopped Diapason 8', both wooden, and a Basson and a Furniture) and comparison of known organs in Snetzler's shop at that time with approximate known number of pipes and prices. It was supposed to have been the second largest Snetzler in the Colonies. <br>Quoted comments of Henry Erben of New York (1833): <br>"I have examined the organ in St. Michaels [sic] Church with a view to the introduction of Pedals, and have ascertained that there is room in the rear of the organ for them; the Organ is much in want of Bass, and the deep and Sonorous tones of the Pedals will give a grand effect. I will add to the Organ an Octave of Pedals, (open Diapason from G.G.--twelve notes) for Four hundred dollars. In adding the Pedals, you must recollect it will require new Keys,Wind Chest, Sound Boad, and Action. <br> "Work required at St. Michael's Organ--The Organ to be cleaned throughout--The pipes to be taken out, cleaned and repaired--The Organ tuned through[out]--The Case to be varnished and Gilt Pipes washed--Pedals to be added to the Organ of One octave of large Open Diapason Pipes, Twelve Notes in a Separate Wind Chest, Keys and Action--Price $700--." <br>The Church signed a contract for the above, and an agent of Erben,s, John Faucett, made the changes in March, 1834. <br>In 1859, the organ was "expanded and several new stops were added." This may have included making the Swell full compass. <br>When the organ was dismantled for storage during the Civil War (enemy shells could had hit St. Michael's), it was stored at St. Paul's Church, Radcliffeboro, a fashionable section of Charleston further inland and now the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul). The sexton found a slip of paper pasted to one pipe, the writing stating, "John Snetzler, fecit Londini 1767." This was framed under glass and attached to the side of the case. It was still there on the extended case's new side panel in the early 1970s. <br>The pedal compass seems to have been extended. Sometime after 1871, two stops, a mixture and a bassoon were removed. Some worn-out action was replaced. The colors of the manual keys were reversed (naturals to white, sharps to black), and the "console" brought out further (no longer en fenetre, having wide side panels) and the case made deeper at the back. A photo of the organ shows three manuals. At some point the compass of the Swell seems to have been made full, either in 1859 or at this time. -- From later accounts about the 19th century changes, the "Swell" seems to have been made full-compass after the Civil War. -Database Manager
Regrettably, it is not possible to display the information about the sponsor of this pipeorgandatabase entry or if there is a sponsor. Please see About Sponsors on Pipe Organ Database.