Better Pipe Organ Database

Unknown Builder

Crestwood Christian Church: Sanctuary
5901 Crestwood Blvd.
Birmingham, AL

Images

2009-08-18 - Church exterior (Photograph by Jim Cook/Database Manager)

2009-08-18 - Chancel; chamber to right of drapery (baptistry), console far right (Photograph by Jim Cook/Database Manager)

2009-08-18 - Console (Photograph by Jim Cook/Database Manager)

2009-08-18 - Chancel, with chamber visible through screening (Photograph by Jim Cook/Database Manager)

2009-08-18 - Great stop tabs (Photograph by Jim Cook/Database Manager)

2009-08-18 - Swell stop tabs (Photograph by Jim Cook/Database Manager)

2009-08-18 - Pedal stop tabs (Photograph by Jim Cook/Database Manager)

2009-08-18 - Pipework (C# side) and chimes (Photograph by Jim Cook/Database Manager)

Consoles

Main

Organ type: Traditional With Roll Top
Console position: Console in Fixed Position, Right
2 manuals
23 stops
4 registers
1 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
Has combination thumb pistons
Has tutti toe pistons

Notes

2007-06-11 - Identified through on-line information from James R. Stettner. -- I was told this was an Aeolian-Skinner, but could find no specific evidence. It could be one of their "4000 Series" organs, of which seven were known to have been built. Of these seven, only Opus 4002 (1942) from First Baptist in Rahway, New Jersey is no longer extant in its original home. The other six are either in their original locations, or otherwise in a documented, relocated location. The four ranks are Diapason, Flute, Viole, and Oboe - which does match the tonal resources for an A-S "4000 Series) instrument. Source: extant organ documented Dec. 1985. -Database Manager

2009-08-18 - Updated after a visit to the organ this afternoon. The congregation is no longer active, and the building is under contract to another church that will not use the organ. Both it and a grand piano are being offered for sale is a buyer can be found. The console appears to date from the move into this building (1965), and there is a notice inside that reads "NORWOOD SW" along the contacts for the Swell manual. Neither I nor the three other people there could find any indication of who might have built the original instrument. Apparently a Klann console and chest. The church tradition is that it came from their parent institution, Woodlawn Christian, but we've not located any documentation. -Database Manager

2014-03-29 - Updated through online information from Lisa Grupe. -- Building purchased and being renovated for a private school. Organ for Sale. -Database Manager

Stoplist

Stoplist from Console August 18, 2009 Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded

Birmingham, Alabama
Crestwood Christian Church

Organ of uncertain origin, installed here ca. 1965, possibly by Lavern Norwood

Great

     8' Diapason
     8' Flute
     8' Viole
     4' Prestant
     4' Flute
     4' Viole
     2' Doublette
     8' Oboe
        Swell to Great Unison
        [Several blank tabs]

Swell
    16' Bourdon
     8' Diapason
     8' Flute
     8' Viole
     4' Prestant
     4' Flute
     4' Viole
 2 2/3' Nazard
     2' Flageolet
     8' Oboe
        Tremolo
        [Several blank tabs]

Pedal
    16' Bourdon
     8' Flute
     4' Fifteenth
     4' Flute
     8' Oboe
        [Several blank tabs]

The four ranks are
     Diapason -- 85 pipes, from 4' C, spotted metal; on both Great and Swell
                 the first octave is wired to the Oboe
     Flute    -- 1-24 stopped wood; 25-85 open metal
     Viole    -- 73 pipes
     Oboe     -- 61 pipes, spotted metal, capped [?] with tuning caps partially
                 open.  First C (8') stamped "OBOE/CC/5"

[Jim Cook. August 18, 2009]