Unknown - Sanctuary interior (Photograph from the NYC AGO Organ Project/Database Manager)
Unknown - Church exterior (Photograph from the NYC AGO Organ Project/Database Manager)
Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2019-12-25 - The Union Methodist Episcopal Church was formed by the consolidation in 1893 of the Bloomington Methodist Episcopal Church, located on West Forty-third Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, and St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church, located on Fifty-third Street, between Broadway and Ninth Avenue. The combined congregation purchased property on West Forty-eighth Street and, on October 31, 1894, laid the cornerstone for a new church. The Neoclassical edifice, designed by Weary & Kramer, was opened on June 2, 1895. As the church was located in the theatre district, it became known as "The Protestant Actors' Chapel" and was host to many social events and programs for the benefit of actors. A theatre was located in the church attic, and in the basement was a restaurant. In 1920, a large sign was erected outside the church, through the efforts of the Rev. Dr. John G. Benson, pastor, who was a champion for actors. Measuring twenty feet high, the sign was surmounted by a cross six feet tall and four feet broad that was illuminated by white nitrogen lamps. Under the cross were intertwined the American flag and church flag, and in the middle, large gold letters proclaimed, "Union Church Social Centre Always Open." During the Depression, unemployed actors were fed in the church's social centre. It has not been determined when the church ceased to exist, but the building was purchased in 1948 by Eugene and Celestine Leone, owners of Leone's restaurant next door at 239 West Forty-eighth Street, who wished to expand their restaurant. "Mama Leone's" restaurant—known for its Italian-American cuisine at moderate prices—was a familiar theatre-district destination for 90 years until it left the location in 1994. For their new edifice, Union M.E. Church contracted with the Odell Company to build a two-manual organ. The organ contained "Odell Pneumatic Compensating Valves to be applied to Great, Swell, and Pedal Organs, thereby giving each pipe a full supply to wind, and an easy touch and quick response to the keys." -Database Manager
Source: Stoplist from the NYC AGO New York City Organ Project Date not recorded
New York, New York
Union Methodist Episcopal Church
J.H. & C.S. Odell Op. 328 1894 2/21
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GREAT SWELL PEDAL
8' Open Diapason 58 16' Bourdon Bass 12 16' Bourdon 30
8' Melodia 58 16' Bourdon Treble 46 8' Violoncello 30
8' Dulciana 58 8' Open Diapason 58
4' Octave 58 8' Stopped Diapason 58
4' Hohl Flute 58 8' Salicional 58
2 2/3' Octave Quint 58 4' Rohrflöte 58
2' Flageolet 58 4' Violina 58
8' Trumpet 58 2' Flautino 58
III Cornet 174
8' Oboe & Bassoon 58
[Received from Jeff Scofield Deember 26, 2019]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.