Austin Organs, Inc. Opus 308A (1939)

Images

1977-09-22 - Nave, Balcony, and Organ Case (Photograph by Charles N. Bayless; image courtesy of the Library of Congress/Database Manager)

1977-09-22 - Sanctuary Interior and Chancel (Photograph by Charles N. Bayless; image courtesy of the Library of Congress/Database Manager)

1977-09-22 - Chancel Area and Pulpit (Photograph by Charles N. Bayless; image courtesy of the Library of Congress/Database Manager)

1977-09-22 - Church Exterior (Photograph by Charles N. Bayless; image courtesy of the Library of Congress/Database Manager)

Consoles

Main

Notes

2011-12-26 - Identified through online information from Jeff Scofield. -- This was a rebuild and electrification of 1913 Austin Op. 308; replaced in 1994 by 3/48 Kenneth Jones. -Database Manager

2014-12-02 - Updated through online information from John McCraney. -- The following is taken from George W. Williams, ST. MICHAEL'S, CHARLESTON, 1751-1951: <br>There is a difference in the dates of the original Austin--Williams lists 1910, not 1913. The 1939 work consisted only of converting the pneumatic action to electricity and installing a new console to accommodate the electric conversion. This work was the gift of Mrs. Martha Laurens Patterson, the organist at that time. -Database Manager

Stoplist

Stoplist from Williams, George W., ST. MICHAEL'S, CHARLESTON, 1751-1951, Chapter VIII, pp. 218-33 and pertsonal knowledge Source: Source not recorded Date not recorded

Charleston, South Carolina St. Michael's Episcopal Church Austin Organ Company 1910/1939 The church had at first contacted Robert Hope-Jones about a new instrument, but signed with Austin. The 1910 organ action was completely pneumatic, but "[i]n 1939 Mrs. Martha Laurens Patterson, then organist, offered to the church the gift of the electrification of the console and action to replace the action of the organ of 1910." This was accomplished by 1940 and included a new console placed at "the northern end of the gallery" but later moved to the middle in front of the center of the case. An earlier organist had argued for retention of the Snetzler organ or a large part of it, but only a rank and a few miscellaneous pipes were retained. The sides of the case were made parallel with the case front and fitted with dummy pipes in order to accommodate the Austin. The original flats and tower pipes were no longer speaking pipes. The Jones organ of today has restored the case to its original appearance. The final cost of the Austin, including installation and "incidentals" in 1910 was $6,840.76. Pipes reused from the Snetzler: From the Great: Fifteenth 2' (lead) Open diapason 16' (32 low notes) St. Diapason 8 (6 pipes) From the Swell: St. Diapason (22 low notes) 1910/1939 ORGAN: [O]=Old or original pipework GREAT 16 Bourdon [O] 8 Open Diapason 8 Small Diapason 8 Clarabella 4 Octave 2 Fifteenth [O] [By 1973 a Mixture had been added--this was there when Mrs. Paul Davis, the Organist-Choirmaster allowed me to play the organ. She said that St. Philip" Episcopal had added a trumpet to its Austin, but she felt the Mixture had been a better choice for St. Michael's. My impression was that this addition was late 60s or early 70s. I do not remember whether the mixture had replaced an earlier rank or was on an additional, new toeboard.] Great 4, 16 Swell 4, 8, 16 Choir 4, 8, 16 SWELL 16 Lieblich Gedeckt 8 Open Diapason 8 Stopped Flute [O] 8 Viole [D' ?] Orchestre 8 Viole Celeste 8 Aeoline 4 Gemshorn 8 Cornopean 8 Oboe 8 Vox Humana Swell 4, 16 Tremolo CHOIR 8 Viole de gamba 8 Melodia 8 Dulciana 4 Flute d'amour 8 Clarinet Choir 4, 16 Swell 4, 8, 16 Tremolo PEDAL 32 Resultant (lower note Pedal Open Diapason; upper note Great Bourdon) 16 Open Diapason 16 Bourdon--Gt. 16 Lieblich Gedeckt--Sw. 8 Octave (ext. Open Diapason) 8 Bass Flute (ext. Bourdon) Great 4, 8 Swell 4, 8 Choir 8 8 Adjustable pistons for each manual; 15 general pistons Unison Silencers [Received from John McCraney 2014-12-02.]

Related Pipe Organ Database Entries