Better Pipe Organ Database


Unknown Builder (1856)

Christ Episcopal Church (1856): Sanctuary; rear gallery
200 S. McMorrine Street
Elizabeth City, NC

Images


Date unknown - Erben organ case (Photograph from an archival source: Church website, submitted by Jim Stettner/Jim Stettner)

Date unknown - Erben organ in West, rear gallery (Photograph from an archival source: Church Facebook page, submitted by Jim Stettner/Jim Stettner)

ca. 1910 - Church exterior (Photograph from an archival source: Vintage postcard, submitted by Jim Stettner/Jim Stettner)

Consoles

Main


Notes

2023-06-24 - This entry represents the moving and reinstallation of the parish's existing 1845 Henry Erben organ from the previous church to the new 1856 edifice. -Jim Stettner

2023-06-24 - Note copied from a related OHS Database entry: **Database Manager on October 30, 2004:** Moved to 1856 building and used until 1910. Remained in west (rear) gallery until damaged by rain in 1940's. Restored by Mann & Trupiano 1983. No pedals. Includes 8' Trumpet. [Erben lists dates it as 1834. Research of Jesse Mercer (church records) suggests 1845.] There 1989. -Jim Stettner

2023-06-24 - Note transferred from a related OHS Database listing: **Database Manager on February 19, 2009:** Updated through online information from Brian Sapp. -- Fitted with an electric blower, coned & mean-toned tuning. -Jim Stettner

2023-06-24 - From the parish website: *"Christ Church is perhaps the only church within the city limits to house two pipe organs. Donated by J. C. Ehringhaus, the Henry Erben organ was built in 1845 and later installed in the gallery when the new building was erected in 1856. The organ is composed of five ranks, one divided manual with 54 keys and no pedal division, a piano/forte pedal; all ranks are under expression. It has been noted that Erben, located in New York City, was one of the major American organ makers of the nineteenth century. During his 60-year career, he built nearly 1,200 instruments; Christ Church’s Erben organ is the only one to remain completely unaltered. Another notable aspect that sets it apart among other extant instruments is that it has an original Erben trumpet in excellent condition. This reed is the only known unaltered example in playing condition. The instrument was restored in 1986 by Mann & Trupiano of New York City and is recognized by the Organ Historical Society as one of Erben’s best preserved opuses; while an electric motored blower was installed; capabilities remain that alternatively allow hand pumping. The Erben Organ and the Rose Window over the altar were moved from the first Christ Church building."* -Jim Stettner


Stoplist

Source: Taken from the parish website

MANUAL (Expressive) Open Diapason [8], Stopped Diapason [8], Stopped Diapason Bass [8], Principal [4], Fifteenth [2], Trumpet [8] (??)

FOOT TRUNDLE (Machine Stop) Piano, Forte

PEDAL MOVEMENTS Expression (hitch-down)


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