John Baker
1860

I personally inspected the John Baker (1860) instrument at Trinity Episcopal Church Abbeville, SC in 2023 after a Sunday liturgy. I met and talked to several parishioners who were knowledgeable about the organ's history. Several years ago the parish raised funds to restore the organ. A supposed builder was hired and a substantial down payment was given to the "builder." The individual removed all of the pipes, chests, even the keyboards and disappeared not to be see or heard from in two years. Somehow, the parish was able to track down the individual and negotiated with him to return all of the pipes/parts he had taken. Most of the pipes and parts were unceremoniously dumped into the organ case. Some still sit along the walls of the church because they would not fit into the back of the organ case.

Bottom line... this organ is not playable, and it cannot be verified at this time that the individual returned all of its parts.

Status Note: There 1992.

Restored Blakely 1979-80. On Jardine list. Pipes repaired by Knowlton Organs, Charlotte, NC under subcontract to Blakely c. 1991.