Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2008-01-09 - Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- This was a I-man. organ with five manual stops and one independent Pedal register: 16' Bourdon. Four of the five manual registers were divided into treble/bass stops: 8' Open Diapason, 8' Melodia, 8' Dulciana, and 4' Violina. Only the 4' Flute Harmonique was full-compass as a single drawstop. The edifice underwent numerous revisions and enlargements. The published parish history states on page 7: "It was during the pastorate of Rev. Pratt [ed.: Sept. 1894 - April 13, 1896], that the pipe organ, which was not new when purchased, was installed. This organ was used continually, first being pumped by a 'Bloy Boy,' later by a water pump, and still later becoming electrified, until it was taken out during the 1941 renovations." The Man. to Ped. coupler was drawknob, but the Octave Coupler was hitch-down. Page 8 adds: "In April of 1923, the organ was electrified. The David & Furber Machine Company electricians doing the work." In 1941, the organ was removed for renovations, but never reinstalled. It was replaced with an Everett Orgatron. Disposition of the Gilbert & Butler is not known. -Database Manager
Original document from James R. Stettner. Source: Stoplist provided by Robert J. Reich of the Andover Organ Co. 2018-09-13
North Andover, Massachusetts First Methodist Episcopal Church GILBERT & BUTLER, ca. 1893 - Original Specifications Unknown Builder, ca. 1894 - Installation MANUAL (Expressive) COUPLERS 8 Open Diapason Treble Man. to Ped. (drawknob) 8 Open Diapason Bass 8 Melodia Treble Octave Coupler (hitch-down) 8 Melodia Bass 8 Dulciana Treble 8 Dulciana Bass PEDAL MOVEMENTS 4 Flute Harmonique Expression (bal.) 4 Violina Treble 4 Violina Bass PEDAL 16 Bourdon 27 ACTION: Mech. Key & Stop VOICES: 6 STOPS: 10 RANKS: 6 PIPES: NOTES In the printed history of the church entitled, History of First Methodist Church on page 7, it states, “It was during the pastorate of Rev. Pratt [Sept. 1894 – April 1896], that the pipe organ, which was not new when purchased, was installed. This organ was used continually, first being pumped by a 'Blow Boy,' later by a water pump, and still later becoming electrified, until it was taken out during the 1941 renovations.” On page 8, it states, “In April of 1923, the organ [ed., blower] was electrified. The Davis & Furber Machine Company electricians doing the work.” On pages 10-11, it states, “The year 1941 will long be remembered in the history of our society. It was the year that the most extensive alterations were made to our building since the time in was raised and made into a two story structure. <snip> It was announced that our church society was in receipt of a large gift, which was to be used for a new pipe organ and chancel. This was very welcome news, for it had long been the desire of the Trustees and the parish to secure a new organ. <snip> Many changes were made in the original plans for a pipe organ and a new chancel. It was decided not to put in an expensive organ and new chancel in an old out-of-date interior. So instead, a less expensive all electric Everett Orgatrone [sic] was installed with a sound box.” Sources: Robert J. Reich files; parish history First Methodist Episcopal Church North Andover, MA.
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