St. Paul Episcopal Church
800 North A Street
Richmond, IN
Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
Images
Unknown - Removing Facade Pipes (ca. 1965) (Photograph in Church Archives; image courtesy of Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)
Unknown - Facade Pipes Removed (ca. 1965) (Photograph in Church Archives; image courtesy of Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)
Unknown - Removing Facade Pipes (ca. 1965) (Photograph in Church Archives; image courtesy of Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)
Unknown - Former Facade Opening (ca. 1965) (Photograph in Church Archives; image courtesy of Timothy E. Conyers/Database Manager)
Consoles
Main
- 2 manuals
- Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Meeting AGO Standards)
- Combination action: Adjustable Combination Pistons
Notes
2007-07-15 - Identified through information in the <i>2007 Organ Atlas</i>. Replaced by E. H. Holloway Opus 12 in 1966. -Database Manager
2012-10-14 - Updated through online information from Timothy E. Conyers. -- The instrument was located on the left side of the chancel with a pipe facade that faced both the congregation and the altar. The organ chamber was located behind the facade in what is now the north "round tower" storage room. This instrument became unplayable and was later removed. It was replaced with an electronic organ, which was used for nearly a decade. The old pipe facade remained in place until 1966 when the electronic instrument was replaced by the E.H. Holloway organ. The pipes of the old facade were stored in a room on the upper floor of the parish house and were still there in 1990. Source: old photograph, church records. -Database Manager
2014-08-06 - Updated through online information from Timothy E. Conyers. -- Built in 1892, by Wirsching Organ Co., repaired by an unknown firm after a 1902 fire, then rebuilt by M.P. Moller in 1926. At some point the original pipe stenciling was painted over. Four organ firms were invited to file bids for the 1926 renovation; all but Moller declined on grounds they could not guarantee satisfaction for the $2,000.00, the church was willing to spend. Moller did the work "virtually under protest." The improvement being the substitution of a new and more modern action. The organ proper was not changed, and for eleven years the church had a very uncertain instrument.<br>On January 12, 1938, the organ was reported being in bad condition. An Organ Committee was formed to investigate repairs. The Moller Co. and the Pilcher Co., submitted bids which were within ten dollars of each other. Total cost of repairs with necessary structural changes were approximately $4,000. The Vestry approved raising the funds. However, in March 1938, the Organ Committee requested a deferment on raising further funds while the Moller Co. revised its recommendations in order to reduce the cost. April 26, 1939, at a special called meeting of the Vestry: "The Clerk reported an offer of the Pearson Company to install and demonstrate the Hammond Electric Organ:<br>"The present pipe organ is rapidly deteriorating to such a point that it is no longer satisfactory to use and requires extensive repairs to put back in usable shape. The demonstration seemed like a good opportunity to hear this new instrument to determine if we wished to give it further consideration if and when the old organ finally gave out completely."<br>June 7, 1939, Vestry Minutes report: "...the Hammond organ, which has been installed in the Church for demonstration, has been presented to the Parish by Mr. Yale H. Schively..." This electronic instrument was used until 1966.<br>Disposal of the pipe organ occupied another four years due to the church being unwilling to remove the facade speaking pipes and casework. This would leave a large opening they could not immediately fill.<br>September 6, 1939, Vestry Minutes mention a bid of $15 to remove the console and sufficient pipes on the east chamber wall. The console was apparently sold as it was paneled over in later photos; however, the pipes remained. An advertisement in the August 1940 issue of "The Diapason" resulted in several inquires, none of which came to fruition.<br>The pipe organ is last mentioned October. 2, 1940. The Vestry accepted "the offer of $400 from the Bohn Organ Company of Fort Wayne for the old pipe organ "'as is, where is' complete with all operating parts but excepting ornamental pipes and casework, and that the Treasurer be instructed to give the Bohn Organ Company clear title to this property by means of a legal bill of sale or release."<br>However, this may not have occurred as March 1, 1943 Vestry Minutes record: "It was moved and seconded that the Billy Brown letter be made a part of this meeting and that the organ in question be sold to him for the price of $1.00." What this request was for is unknown since the letter itself is not recorded in the minutes. There is no further mention of the old organ.<br>The facade pipework remained in place until c.1965, when it was removed and stored on the upper floor of the Parish House. The pipes were still there in 1989. New walls were constructed to enclose the chamber, with the west sanctuary wall being pushed back several feet to make it symmetrical with the east sanctuary wall. A door was built into the wall and the former pipe chamber became a storage area for liturgical items.<br><br>(Source: St. Paul's Vestry Minutes - 1938, 1939, 1940, 1943, 1964,1965). -Database Manager
Stoplist
Stoplist copied from <i>OHS Organ Atlas 2007</i> Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Richmond, Indiana
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Wirsching c.1892
Möller Op. 3161 1926
_____________________________________________________________
GREAT SWELL PEDAL
8' Open Diapason 16' Bourdon 16' Bourdon
8' Doppel Flute 8' Violin Diapason 16' Lieblich Gedeckt
8' Dolcissimo 8' Stopped Diapason 8' Violoncello
4' Octave 8' Salicional
Sub 8' Vox Celeste
Unison Off 4' Flute Harmonique
Super III Dolce Cornet
8' Oboe & Bassoon
Tremolo
Sub
Unison Off
Super
[Received from Jeff Scofield May 20, 2016]
Related Pipe Organ Database Entries
Other Links
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.