Henry Pilcher [Jr. or II]
Opus 125, 1871

St. James Catholic Church [1st bldg]

Prairie Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets
Chicago, IL, US

8 Ranks - 430 Pipes
Instrument ID: 11139 ● Builder ID: 4951 ● Location ID: 10165
⬆️ These are database IDs that may change. Don't use as academic reference.VIEW STOPLIST
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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STOPLISTS

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  • Chest Action: Slider With Mechanical Pull-Downs
  • Stop Action: Mechanical (Slider)
  • Notes: See attached article by Michael Friesen for complete details.
  • Notes: Melodia from F - aaa only
  • Notes: Dulciana from F - aaa only
  • Notes: 4' Flute from F - aaa only
8'17
8'41
8'41
4'58
4'41
2 2⁄3'58
2'58
  • Chest Action: Slider With Mechanical Pull-Downs
  • Stop Action: Mechanical (Slider)
  • 8' Great to Pedal
16'17

Michael's article is primarily about an 1891 Roosevelt which was the successor to this instrument - but located in the congregation's new building. In the article Michael stated that the Pilcher's fate was "unknown", and that St. James' first building (which housed the Pilcher) was built in 1858 "on the east side of Prairie Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets" in Chicago.

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CONSOLES

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Builder: Unknown
Position: Unknown
Design: Unknown
Pedalboard Type: Unknown
Features:
2 Manuals 9 StopsMechanical (Unknown) Key ActionMechanical Stop Action
Stop Layout: Unknown
Expression Type: Unknown
Combination Action: Unknown
Control System: Unknown or N/A

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DETAILS

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This instrument is: Not Extant and Not Playable in this location

Paul R. Marchesano on March 7th, 2025:

As noted in the Michael Friesen article...in 1871 St. James's building was located "on the east side of Prairie Avenue between 26th and 27th Streets." While St. James Catholic Church in Chicago continues today as a worshipping local parish, that building (which housed the Pilcher) was abandoned sometime between 1875 and 1880, and the organ likely moved to the congregation's new building, at 2942 South Wabash. The Wabash building, which later housed an 1891 Frank Roosevelt, was demolished in 2013. As Michael wrote, "The Pilcher's fate is unknown."

Information received online from Ronald Damholt on 2025-02-14

Database Manager on October 30th, 2004:

"Built or contracted while Wm. Pilcher had withdrawn from the firm and was working in Robin's Nest, IL. Stoplist listed in the Pilcher Ledger as being the same as Op. 66, built for , except that the case was Norman and the manual compass extended to a (58/17). Probably moved to the new building in 1880."

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