Better Pipe Organ Database

Henry Pilcher's Sons Opus 396 (1901)

First Presbyterian Church: Sanctuary
193 W. Church St.
Cuthbert, GA

Images

2017-03-18 - Church exterior (Photograph by Lance Taylor, submitted by Jim Stettner/Jim Stettner)

2015-05-06 - Swell pipework (l - r): 4' Flauto Traverso, 8' Stop'd Diapason, 8' Violin Diapason, 8' Salicional (Photograph by James (Bud) Taylor/Database Manager)

2015-05-06 - Organ Case and Keydesk (Photograph by James (Bud) Taylor/Database Manager)

2015-05-06 - Keydesk (Photograph by James (Bud) Taylor/Database Manager)

2015-05-06 - Right Stop Jamb ((Great) Photograph by James (Bud) Taylor/Database Manager)

2015-05-06 - Left stop jamb (Swell & Pedal) (Photograph by James (Bud) Taylor/Database Manager)

2015-05-06 - Great pipes (l - r): 8' Open Diapason, 8' Dulciana, 8' Melodia, 4' Gemshorn (Photograph by James (Bud) Taylor/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
9 stops
10 registers
3 divisions
Key action Type: Mechanical (Details Unknown)
Stop action Type: Mechanical
Stop layout Type: Drawknobs in Horizontal Rows on Terraced/Stepped Jambs
Manual compass: 61 notes
Pedal compass: 27 notes
Pedal Type: Flat Radiating
Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Details Unknown)
Combination action: None
Has coupler thumb pistons

Notes

2015-05-29 - Updated through online information from James (Bud) Taylor. -- I had heard about this church having an old organ, and when I was there to tune/service the organ at the church next door recently, I was able to go there and see the organ for my self. The organ is in fairly good shape, but hasn't been used since the most recent organist died a few years ago. It is apparent that the organ originally was hand-blown, but a blower was installed some years ago. Also, perhaps at the same time, the tuning-scrolls were trimmed off, and metal tuning-sleeves put on. The larger of these sleeves (Coke-tin) were spot-soldered at the seam where the edge of the sleeve overlapped itself. This would tend to indicate this being done quite some time ago. I was able to turn the organ on, and play a little bit, mostly to listen a little at each stop, & hear how each stop worked in the ensemble. The Sanctuary not being large, the organ is quite adequate to fill the room, lead congregational singing without being overbearing. The stop labeled Gemshorn 4' in appearance is NOT tapered, but cylindrical and slotted, as is all the metal pipe-work. This stop is relatively mild, almost being "swallowed" by the Open Diapason 8', but working nicely with the other 8' stops. The reservoir is 5' x 7', double-rise. The interior of the organ is surprisingly clean for an organ 114 years of age. The photo of the Swell pipework is pleasantly surprising. -Database Manager

2015-05-29 - Updated through online information from James R. Stettner. -Database Manager

2015-05-30 - Updated through online information from James (Bud) Taylor. -- The organ is in remarkable shape for its age. The only changes from its original state are that an electric blower was installed at some point, the hand-pumping apparatus removed, and most likely ast the same time, tuning scrolls were carefully trimmed off, and tuning-sleeves installed. These sleeves are coke-tin plated, each having a single solder-dot soldered on right where the end-edge of the sleeve overlaps itself. Most likely Pilcher-authorised. The organ was used regularly until the then-organist passed away a few years ago. The pipework is in excellent shape for its age, and the organ has only a light coating of dust considering it's age. A rare jewel. -Database Manager

Stoplist

Source: Stoplist copied from the keydesk; verified and updated from submitted photos May 4th, 2015

Cuthbert, Georgia
Cuthbert Presbyterian Church

Henry Pilcher's Sons, Opus 396, 1901


    GREAT (Right jamb)
8'  Open Diapason
8'  Melodia
8'  Dulciana
4'  Gemshorn


    SWELL (Expressive - left jamb)
8'  Violin Diapason
8'  Salicional
8'  Stop'd Diapason Treble
8'  Stop'd Diapason Bass
4'  Flauto Traverso
    Tremolo


    PEDAL
16' Bourdon


    COUPLERS (on Swell manual key-slip)
Swell to Pedal   [piston]    on/off
Great to Pedal   [piston]    on/off

Swell to Great   [piston]    on/off
Swell to Great 8ves      [drawknob]


    PEDAL MOVEMENTS
Swell Expression             (bal.)


    ACCESSORIES 
Bellows Signal       (disconnected)


[Received from James (Bud) Taylor  2015-05-17.]
[Corrected & Updated by James R. Stettner  2023-04-30.]