2015-06-14 - This entry describes an original installation of a new pipe organ. Identified by Jim Lewis, using information found in Newport (RI) Mercury March 3, 1883. <br> Used an 8' Open Diapason and 4' Flute from the previous Richard Bridge organ, which was moved by Erben (after providing a new Diapason and Flute) to the ante-chapel of Grace Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, NY. The Erben organ was moved by Hook & Hastings in 1889 to Kay Chapel, Church St., in Newport. -Database Manager
2025-04-17 - Church records indicate Erben stated that he used the best parts of two stops to make a through Stopt Diapason 8' of wood-likely the Great Stopt Diapason bass and either the treble of the Swell Stopt Diapason 8' or the Great Flute 4', assuming the latter was of wood and not a chimney flute as was the treble of the Great Stop Diapason 8'. When the Erben was replaced by the Hook & Hastings in 1880, the Erben was sold or given to a church in nearby Portsmouth RI, where it reputedly existed into at least the 1950s or early 1960s. Erben also replaced Richard's facade pipes which may have begun to fatigue. Richards drew layout circles on the facade toeboards to indicate the size and scaling of his original facade pipes. The Erben facade pipes are still extant in 2025, although silent, but have begun to collapse. -Scot Huntington
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