2023-01-13 - .The organ was a new installation in a new building. The organ was contracted for in the Fall of 1964 for installation in Fall of 1965. The organ is installed in spacious chambers on either side of a central cross in this semi-circular chancel. There being no visible pipes, the instrument in installed behind grills covering pleated acoustically transparent draperies. The organ was designed by consultant Hans Vigeland, a prominent organist in Buffalo and who for several decades was Director of Music at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Although Jamestown is less than 50 miles from the factory in Erie, negotiations were handled by the Tellers Western NY rep, Robert Po-Chedley in Buffalo. The organ was voiced on low pressure with a bright and transparent style of voicing typical for the era. The organ console was either rebuilt or replaced in a major update of the control system in 2007 by the Fischer Organ Co. of Erie, but reportedly without tonal changes-- just renaming of a number of stops. A recent Facebook video of a standard church service here (Jan. 2023) shows several rows of front pews have been removed to create a performance area, and the "music" employs a combination of drum set, baby grand piano, guitar, electric keyboard, with microphones and songsters. The result is what one would expect. The choir loft is empty, a television screen is set up behind the altar to hide the organ console front and center in the choir loft, and it appears that under normal circumstances, yet another complete and perfectly serviceable instrument sits unused. One hopes it hasn't been discarded completely. Balzac's famous statement, "fashion wears out more organs that time ever will" comes to mind. -Scot Huntington
2023-01-13 - The contract signing date was July 1, 1963. Cost was $39,030.00. -Jim Stettner
Source: Taken from console Fall 1973
Jamestown, New York
First Covenant Church
Tellers Organ Co. (Opus 970, 1965)
Compasses: 61/32
All ranks straight and full compass unless noted.
GREAT
8' Principal
8' Bordun
8' Dolcan [Ch]
4' Oktav
4' Rohrflote
2 2/3' Quint
2' Superoktav
IV Fourniture
Chimes [25 tubes]
Tremulant
Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'
Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'
SWELL [Expressive, 68-note ranks with treble extensions]
16' Gedeckt
8' Viola
8' Viola Celeste
8' Hohlflute
8' Kleinerzahler
4' Prestant
4' Flute Harmonique
2' Gedeckt [ext. 16']
IV Plein Jeu [61-note stop]
16' Hautbois
8' Trompette
8' Voix Humaine
4' Hautbois [ext. 16']
Tremulant
Swell to Swell 16', 4'
Swell Unison Off
CHOIR [Expressive]
8' Nachthorn
8' Dolcan
8' Dolcan Celeste
4' Koppelflote
2 2/3' Nasard
2' Principal
1 3/5' Terz
8' Krummhorn
Chimes [Gt]
Tremulant
Choir to Choir 16', 4'
Choir Unison Off
Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
PEDAL
16' Montre
16' Soubasse
16' Gedeckt [Sw]
8' Montre [ext.]
8' Gedeckt [Sw]
8' Dolcan [Ch]
4' Montre [ext.]
4' Rohrflote [Gt]
2' Blockflote
IV Mixtur
16' Posaune
8' Trompette [Sw]
4' Krummhorn [Ch]
2' Hautbois [Sw]
Chimes [Gt]
Great to Pedal 8', 4'
Swell to Pedal 8', 4'
Choir to Pedal 8', 4'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.