1951 - Church exterior (Photograph from an archival source: Image from a collectible plate, submitted by Jim Stettner/Jim Stettner)
Note: Not extant. Not playable. (in this location)
2022-06-04 - The *York Daily*, February 15, 1905, reported: York is to have another Carnegie organ. The congregation of the Duke Street Methodist Episcopal church desires a pipe organ to replace the instrument now in the church. Andrew Carnegie was corresponded with and he promises the congregation $1,500 if it raises the remainder. The members are now engaged in this work and expect to be able to install a $4,000 instrument during the present year. According to the *York Gazette*, April 22, 1905, the members of the committee appointed to purchase an organ for the church had "made a trip to Hagerstown, Md., where they viewed several pipe organs at the factory of Moller and company. They did not decide on any organ yet, but will do so in a ew days. The organ is to cost $2,000, half of which will be paid by Andrew Carnegie." The committee, however, chose an organ by the Barckhoff Pipe Organ Company (*York Gazette*, September 13, 1905): "Workmen are now engaged in placing the new pipe organ for the Duke Street Methodist Episcopal church in position. The organ is among the largest and finest ever seen in this city. It will not be ready for use until Sunday of next week. It was built by the Barckoff [*sic*] pipe organ company, of Pomeroy, Ohio. The price of the organ was $3,500 and Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate, subscribed $1,000 of that amount. The organ contains 1,248 pipes and is being constructed by Peter Bauer, an expert organ builder employed by the Barckoff company, and Winfield Knauss, of this city. The organ will be dedicated the latter part of the month." A similar story in the September 13 *York Dispatch* added that the organ "is being placed in the northwest angle of the church" and "is run by an electric motor." The *Gazette* of September 24 announced the first use of the organ: "At this morning's service at the Duke Street Methodist church, corner Duke street and College avenue, the new organ will be played for the first time. The organ, which is in part a gift of Andrew Carnegie, is one of the finest in the city. Special music has been arranged for the services today. Miss Strevig will officiate at the organ." On October 12 the *Gazette* announced a "grand organ recital": "This Thursday evening, October 12, at 8 p.m. in Duke Street Methodist church, by Prof. Herbert Oldham, F. S. Sc., on the Beautiful New Barckhoff pipe organ. Admission 25 cents." On October 13 the *York Dispatch* carried an account of the "formal dedication" of the organ at this recital (see Document). The Barckhoff organ was replaced by a Wicks in 1953. The *York Gazette and Daily*, June 29, 1953, in an article on the progress of the "new organ fund" for the purchase of a "Wick's [*sic*] pipe organ," stated, "The present organ in the church is 48 years old. It is to be traded in on the new instrument." The Barckhoff's fate after being traded in is unknown. Sources: "Buying a Pipe Organ," *York Gazette*, Saturday morning, April 22, 1905, 15, Newspapers.com, accessed June 1, 2022, https://www.newspapers.com/image/551900166/. "Duke Street Church Wants Carnegie Organ," *York Daily*, Wednesday morning, February 15, 1905, 1, Newspapers.com, accessed June 1, 2022, https://www.newspapers.com/image/75926408/. "Grand Organ Recital," *York Gazette*, Thursday, October 12, 1905, 1, Newspapers.com, accessed June 2, 2022, https://www.newspapers.com/image/552038594/. "Half of Organ Fund Goal at Duke Street Church Is Reached," *York Gazette and Daily*, Monday morning, June 29, 1953, 7, Newspapers.com, accessed June 2, 2022, https://www.newspapers.com/image/386742739/. "New Pipe Organ Being Erected in M. E. Church," *York Gazette*, Wednesday morning, September 13, 1905, 5, Newspapers.com, accessed June 1, 2022, https://www.newspapers.com/image/551668874/. "Organ Being Placed," *York Dispatch*, Wednesday, September 13, 1905, 3, Newspapers.com, accessed June 1, 2022, https://www.newspapers.com/image/614426914/. "Organ Dedication," *York Dispatch*, Friday, October 13, 1905, 7, Newspapers.com, accessed June 2, 2022, https://www.newspapers.com/image/614428388/. "Special Music and New Organ," *York Gazette*, Sunday morning, September 24, 1905, 1, Newspapers.com, accessed June 1, 2022, https://www.newspapers.com/image/552038251/. -Charles Eberline
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