Better Pipe Organ Database


M. P. Möller Opus 4598 (1926)

Memorial Church of the Holy Cross M.E.
329 N 5th Street
Reading, PA

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


Images


2022-07-18 - Ceiling art (Photograph by Jeff Scofield/Jeff Scofield)

2022-07-18 - Church interior, with exposed pipes where the Wirsching case was. (Photograph by Jeff Scofield/Jeff Scofield)

Unknown - Sanctuary fireplace; see NOTES (Photograph by Jeff Scofield/Jeff Scofield)

2022-07-18 - Church interior to rear (Photograph by Jeff Scofield/Jeff Scofield)

Consoles

Main


Notes

2007-10-31 - Identified from factory documents and publications courtesy of Stephen Schnurr. -Database Manager

2008-10-20 - Updated by Jim Stark. Replaced existing Wirsching organ. -Database Manager

2022-07-30 - Sanctuary information from the church website: The “audience room” (sanctuary) was planned to seat eight hundred people and featured an octagon formed amphitheater on a sloping disc floor. The lower ten feet of each wall was finished with mottled buff brick in lieu of wainscoting. In each angle of the octagon, exposed antique oak timber rafters were projected from a stone column. The joining of the rafters was made effective by the outstretched wings and heads of angels carved in relief. A central rotunda received the eight rafters at its base and formed an arcaded rim. Four wrought iron and silver electroliers were suspended from the rim for light distribution and a decorative effect. A large stained glass window was centered on each wall of the sanctuary. To the immediate right of the dais was a carved stone fireplace bearing the inscription, “While I was musing, the fire burned.” Charles Wilhelm, Aaron Wilhelm’s son, is said to have suggested the inscription, taken from Psalm 39:3. -Jeff Scofield

2022-07-30 - At the time of my visit on July 18, 2022, there was a 4-manual digital organ (possibly Walker) installed and a small amount of pipework where the Wirsching/Moller case used to be. -Jeff Scofield

2023-01-05 - Replaced by a Ruffatti/Walker hybrid organ 2000s. -Paul R. Marchesano


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