Better Pipe Organ Database

Estey Organ Co. Opus 525 (1908)

Austin Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, South / Trinity Presbyterian Church: Sanctuary
1202 Austin Avenue
Waco, TX

Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)

Images

Unknown - Church Exterior (Vintage postcard, courtesy of T. Bradford Willis, DDS (1911)/Database Manager)

Unknown - Chancel and Pipe Facade (Photograph by Fred Gildersleeve (ca. 1918); image courtesy of Brad Willis/Database Manager)

Unknown - Church exterior, ca. 1910 (Vintage postcard, courtesy of Brad Willis/Database Manager)

Unknown - Church exterior (Photograph from the church archives; used with permission/Database Manager)

1920-06-15 - Chancel and organ case (Photograph from the church archives; used with permission/Database Manager)

Consoles

Main

Organ type: Traditional With a Keyboard Cover That Can Be Lifted To Form a Music Rack
Console position: Keydesk Attached
2 manuals
14 stops
14 registers
3 divisions
Key action Type: Tubular Pneumatic (Details Unknown)
Stop action Type: Tubular Pneumatic (Details Unknown)
Manual compass: 61 notes
Pedal compass: 30 notes
Pedal Type: Flat Straight
Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Details Unknown)
Has coupler toe pistons

Notes

2007-07-03 - Identified by James R. Stettner through information from the Estey Opus List, published in The Boston Organ Club newsletter, 1973-1979. -Database Manager

2009-11-17 - Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis. -- (building has been razed) -Database Manager

2010-01-04 - Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis, DDS. -- The contract for this Estey organ was signed on July 8, 1907 and the cost of the organ was $2,750. The case was constructed of Vermont hardwood. The large metal pipes were made of zinc. All other metal pipes were made of a composition of tin and lead, of which not less than 45% shall be tin. The Austin Avenue Church edifice was built in 1901 to 1902 from a design by William A. Cann. -Database Manager

2010-01-05 - Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis, DDS. -- A letter dated March 14, 1908 in the Austin Avenue church archives states, "Austin Avenue M. E. Church, Gentlemen, Having examined the Organ thoroughly I find everything according to specification. [signed] E. M. Parnum" -Database Manager

2010-07-09 - Updated through online information from James R. Stettner. -- The stop action was the Pat'd Haskell miniature keyboard placed over the Swell manual. 5-sectional facade wih stencilled pipes. Adjustable combination foot trundles for Great Organ Forte, Great Organ Piano, Swell Organ Forte, and Swell Organ Piano. The Methodist building with organ was sold to Trinity Presbyterian in 1925, and the building was razed in the 1930's. -Database Manager

2010-11-28 - Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis, DDS. -- The text for the Official Texas Historical Subject Marker states: Austin Avenue United Methodist Church At the close of the nineteenth century, when it was determined that Waco's Fifth Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South (now First United Methodist Church) had grown too large, its members petitioned the denominational conference for the organization of another congregation in Waco. As a result, the Quarterly Conference approved the establishment of Austin Avenue Methodist Church on December 31, 1900. The Rev. John R. Nelson was appointed to organize the new congregation. Three lots were purchased at the corner of Austin Avenue and 12th Street for a church building. The congregation was officially chartered on December 29, 1901, with a membership of 81, and a sanctuary was completed in April 1902. The congregation experienced a steady growth that paralleled that of its neighborhood. When the first building became too small for the growing church, it was sold to Trinity Presbyterian Church, and a new Methodist structure was built at Austin Avenue and 13th Street. Throughout its history, this church has served its community with a variety of outreach programs, it continues to be an important part of Waco's history. -Database Manager

2014-11-29 - Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis, DDS. -Database Manager

Stoplist

Stoplist transcribed from the original contract in the church archives. Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded

Austin Avenue Methodist Church
Waco, Texas

1908 Estey Organ - Stoplist

GREAT                  SWELL                  PEDAL
8 Open Diapason        8 Open Diapason        16 Sub Bass
8 Melodia              8 Stopped Diapason     16 Bourdon
8 Dulciana             8 Salicional
4 Octave               8 Voix Celeste
4 Flute d'Amour        8 Aeoline
                       4 Flute Harmonic
                       8 Oboe
                         Tremulant

PEDAL MOVEMENTS    
Great Organ Forte (Adjustable)    Great Organ Piano (Adjustable)    
Swell Organ Forte (Adjustable)    Swell Organ Piano (Adjustable)    
Great to Pedal (Reversible)        

Haskell Patent Register Action        
Tubular-Pneumatic Key and Stop Action

[Received from T. Bradford Willis 11/29/2014.]

Documents

(1907-12-25) Factory Contract and Specifications, courtesy of Dr. T. Bradford Willis Contract, stoplist and accessories -Jeff Scofield