Coleman Pipe Organ
2007

Jim Stettner on March 21st, 2022:
The original, 27-note, flat and parallel pedalboard has radiating sharps.

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Tim Bovard on March 18th, 2022:
This instrument was relocated to its current location approx. 2005, via the Organ Clearing House originally, who reportedly obtained the instrument from a private owner in New York State. Refurbishment and some modifications were made (well) at that time including replacement of original wind reservoir (which was already missing at time of relocation) and most likely, replacement of a spurious 4' Flute (which had occupied the Trumpet slide) with the current Clarinet style reed pipes. The Coleman Pipe Organ firm provided maintenance services for the instrument until approx. 2020, but records have not yet been located to suggest the Coleman firm took part in the relocation and re-installation of the instrument, and it bears no nameplate beyond that of Geo. Jardine & Son.

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Database Manager on December 9th, 2013:
Updated through online information from Lisa Hester. -- The 1884 Jardine & Son, 1 manual pipe organ was built in New York City for a church in Chatham, near Albany. In the 1930s it was moved to another church in the nearby town of Stuyvesant. After the Methodist Conference ordered the church closed in 1979, the church was purchased by Jane Jessup Mayer, as one of Mayer's daughter took piano lessons from Mrs. Ogden, the long-term organist at the Stuyvesant Church who was very devoted to the instrument. Mrs. Mayers used the church as a wedding chapel for a while. <br>More than twenty years later, she sold the church but retained ownership of the organ, storing it in a barn. Benton First Presbyterian became aware of the organ through the Organ Clearinghouse and the Organ Historical Society. After learning that Mrs. Mayer, who has a passion for older churches, organs, and their preservation, was interested in donating the Jardine organ to a church with a history worthy of the organ, as evident here, in 2007 the organ found its new home at First Presbyterian Church, Benton, Arkansas (dedication 12-7-2007) after being cleaned and restored by Randall Wagner at the Organ Supply Company in Erie, Pennsylvania and installed by Gary Coleman of Coleman Pipe Organs, Benton, Arkansas.

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Database Manager on December 13th, 2007:
Updated through on-line information from Stephen Hall. -- According to article in the Benton Courier (Benton AR) dated Dec 11, 2007; the instrument served in a church in upstate New York until 1979, it was then acquired by the Organ Clearing House (OCH). OCH restored the organ and moved it to the current location. The facade pipes retain the original stenciling.

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Database Manager on December 11th, 2007:
Identified through on-line information from Stephen Hall. -- Present sanctuary built in 1989 replacing one previously destroyed by fire. 1884 Jardine organ moved from another location according to article in Benton Courier (dated Friday Dec 7, 2007).