Henry Niemann
1880's

This building has been sold to the Hampden Mennonite Church. We hope they keep the organ!

This church has been closed by the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Updated by Steven Bartley, naming this as the source of information: Sun paper 4/25/1888 Supplement pg2. According to the article in the Sun Paper - the organ was under construction at \"The Baltimore, Church & Concert Organ Manufacturing Company\". It goes on to say \"Both keyboards will be beveled; and new thumb pistons will be used. The case is of cherry, and the front of a very fine design; the pipes are to be richly ornamented in golden colors; 14 speaking stops; cost $2,000.\" Around the same time other mentions in both the Sun Paper, and the Der Deutsche Correspondent, are seen, but no more details of the instrument. A search of newspapers has not revealed any mention of Niemann being involved, though this writer has seen on number of occasions where a Baltimore organ builder who made repairs or alterations to an organ, by another builder, would apply his name to the instrument. Further research is needed, and possibly when a restoration of the instrument takes place there may be tell tale signs of additions or alterations which would explain the difference in the attributions. BCCOMC was owned by F.X. Ganter whose primary business was cabinet maker of large store & bar furnishing. He hired a trained organ builder to carry out the organ-specific portion and used his team of cabinet makers & large shop to do the woodworking.

Updated through online information from David M Storey. -- Pedal Bourdon pipes divided C/C#. Swell in tower behind Great. Reservoir 4x6 double rise under swell, unused, replaced with small box bellows. Swell pedal action modified with larger pedal. Metal pipes all scrolled and coned. Façade 1-10 of Dulciana, 1-12 of Open Diapason. 1-6 Swell Violin Diapason are open wood, located outside swell box. all tracker mechanism intact. Pedal coupler, single back fall to single idler with two jacks, one great, one swell. ivory key tops intact, rather worn. manual chest – N chests 1st octave divided. original handpumping mechanism intact.

Updated through on-line information from John Igoe. -- The instrument is in nearly original condition, with some unfortunate modifications to the winding. Current pastor is aware of instrument's value, and has initial planning for full restoration. Played several times a week.