OHS convention: 2005
2004-10-30 - Status Note: There 1996. -Database Manager
2004-10-30 - Altered by Roche 1966, 2-28. -Database Manager
2012-07-16 - Updated through online information from 13Organist. -Database Manager
2013-05-27 - Updated through online information from Matthew Dion. -- The Organ, Built in 1883 was once run by water and then by bellows. It was electrified in the 1950's and retains the original blower. The organ was in dispair for many years due to painters when renovating of St. Josephs Church but emergency repairs were done to prepair for the 2005 AGO convention held in Massachusetts. -Database Manager
2014-01-01 - Updated through online information from Matthew Dion. -Database Manager
2020-04-27 - This organ was built in 1883 by W. K. Adams & Son Organ Company in Providence R.I. It is one of the oldest and largest organs built by them, and one of very few still extant today. It is also believed to be the oldest surviving organ in the City of Fall River of which the condition is known to this database. After seeing little use for many years due to damage from church painters, emergency repairs were completed in 2005 to prepare it for the OHS Convention in the area. Since then it saw little work done to it. After taking command of the parish, newly appointed Rev. Jay Mello, S.T.L. immediately began repairs to the organ, launching a restoration fund for it just a few years back and hiring Andover Organ Company out of Andover, MA to do the work. The organ is now fully playable and is used for all weekend services and other events. It is believed to still be using the blower installed in the 1950s when it was first electrified. The church maintains a full-time organist. The current phase of restoration will show attention to the organ's upper register. I will continue to update progress as restoration work continues on the organ. -Edward Smith
2021-01-14 - As of 1/13/21, the church is around 2/3 of the way to our goal of $17,500 to restore the great 1883 W.K. Adams & Son organ. We have raised an additional $5,000 since last update, giving us another $5,000 to go. This leaves a timeline of late 2021 for the third and final phase of restorations. Since last update, several stops that were previously rendered inoperable sound again. This project will fully restore and complete the restorations not encompassed by the emergency repairs completed in 2005 for the OHS Southeastern MA convention, and allow the full power organ to sound for the first time in several decades. Although not perfect, the organ currently has almost full power after the largest 8 and 16 foot stops were restored. Some smaller niche stops have yet to be restored. I have also confirmed that this instrument is in fact the largest surviving work of W.K. Adams & Son, according to the Organ Historical Society. I will continue to update as the project to revive this great instrument nears its completion. -Edward Smith
2021-06-24 - June 2021 update - The $17,500 for the third phase of restoration to the 1883 Adams Organ has been raised! The restoration work will begin in January 2022. After its completion, the parish has decided to add an additional fourth and final phase to fully complete this restoration. The fund for that project will start after the third phase is complete. It is unknown to me what the total expenses for that work will be at this time. -Edward Smith
2022-04-04 - Third phase of restoration completed by Andover Organ Company. Previous organ company, Roche Organ Company of Taunton Massachusetts, went out of business in 2014. Cost - $17,500. I attended a service and it sounds quite a bit better than before. Console looked to remain original. Sounded like a reed stop (possibly the Keralophone noted on the stoplist) was used in the chorus, not used before. Fourth and final phase to begin sometime around 2023. Cost rolled into capital campaign for 150th anniversary of parish, 140th anniversary of organ. $100,000 raised for capital campaign so far. Unknown what the scope of work for that final phase is. -Edward Smith
2023-09-13 - Original 1883 ivory manuals refinished, action repair and complete retrackerization by Andover in 2022. Under contract with Andover for additional repairs and new pedal trackers. Funding for last phase to come from parish's 150th anniversary campaign. Original 1950s blower intact. Organ in regular use for all services. -Edward Smith
OHS 2005 Southeastern Massachusetts Convention Booklet Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded
Fall River, MA
Saint Joseph's Church
W.K. Adams and Son, 1883
GREAT (Unenclosed, Man I CC-a3) COUPLERS (Drawknob)
8' Open Diapason 58 Swell and Pedal
8' Keraulophone (tc) 46 Great and Pedal
8' Dopple Floete (tc) 46
8' Floete Bass [CC-BB] 12 Great and Swell
4' Octave 58
4' Flute Treble (tc) 46
4' Flute Bass [CC-BB] 12 FOOT TRUNDLES
2 2/3' Quinte 58
2' Fifteenth 58 Great Piano -
1 3/5' Tierce 58
2 rks Mixture 116 Great Forte -
2 rks Scharff 116
8' Trumpet 46
8' Cornopean [CC-BB] 12 PEDAL MOVEMENTS
Great Organ Separation [windchest ventil; Swell Expression (bal.)
mechanism removed]
SWELL (Expressive; Man II CC-a3)
16' Lieblich Gedackt (tc) 46
16' Gedeckt [CC-BB] 12
8' Violin Diapason 58
8' Dulciana (tc) 46
8' Dulciana (tc) 46
8' Stopped Diapason Treble (tc) 46
8' Stopped Diapason Bass [CC-BB] 12
4' Octave 58
4' Traverse Floete 58
4' Violina 58
2 2/3' Quint 58
2' Super Octave 58
8' Oboe (tc) 46 ACTION: Mech. Key & Stop
8' Bassoon [CC-BB] 12
Tremolo STOPS: 25
PEDAL (Unenclosed CC-d1) REGISTERS: 31
16' Double Open Diapason 27 RANKS: 27
16' Bourdon 27
8' Violoncello 27 PIPES: 1,373
[Received from Matthew Dion 2014-06-30.]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.