Robert M. Turner
1999

Originally Jesse Woodberry (& Co.) (1905)

St. Paul Catholic Church | Harvard Square

Upper Church

Bow & Arrow Sts.
Cambridge, MA, US

107 Ranks
Instrument ID: 45517 ● Builder ID: 6324 ● Location ID: 5607
⬆️ These are database IDs that may change. Don't use as academic reference.EXPLORE IMAGESVIEW STOPLIST

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IMAGES

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STOPLISTS

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CONSOLES

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Builder: Unknown
Position: Movable Console
Design: Traditional With Roll Top
Pedalboard Type: Concave Radiating (Meeting AGO Standards)
Features:
3 Manuals (61 Notes)32 Note Pedal8 Divisions96 Stops111 RegistersElectrical Key ActionElectrical Stop Action✓ Sequencer✓ Combination Thumb Piston(s)✓ Combination Toe Piston(s)✓ Coupler Thumb Piston(s)✓ Coupler Toe Piston(s)

Stop Layout: Drawknobs in Vertical Rows on Flat Jambs
Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Meeting AGO Standards)
Combination Action: Computerized/Digital
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

Andrew Scanlon on March 9th, 2022:
Within the last 10 years, all of the digital voices have been removed. The Casavant pipework formerly located in the front corner has also been completely removed. The 3-man console by Robert Turner has been relocated to the rear gallery, and any stop knobs or couplers associated with the old digital voices or chancel division have been removed. See 2022 console picture. What remains is a small (approx 35 rank) three-manual pipe organ comprised of the pipework that was present prior to the 1990s Turner expansion. most of it works although none of it is in great condition, but it sounds spectacular in the room because of the generous acoustic.

Jeff Scofield on October 30th, 2020:
From the church's 2020 Wikipedia page: An organ of 35 stops was built for the original church building in 1904 by Jesse Woodberry & Co (Opus 251), designed by Edward MacGoldrick. The organ was enlarged to 50 stops and relocated to the gallery of the present building between 1923 and 1924 by Emil Mias. Mias died before the organ's completion, so his son, Paul F.C. Mias finished the organ. Casavant Frères built in 1947 a new console for the Woodberry/Mias organ, which was their Op. 1893. In 1959, Casavant annexed a Chancel organ (Op. 1893, 2560A) of 19 ranks, in the 'neo-baroque' style in the south transept to the Woodberry/Mias gallery organ. The gallery organ underwent significant tonal alterations in 1971 under the direction of Arthur Birchall, former vice-president of Aeolian-Skinner. A new “console" was completed in 1999 by Robert M. Turner, and numerous electronic "voices" were synthesized by Walker Technical Company. In 2015 plans were finalized to return the console to its original position in the Organ gallery, and the digital voices were all removed, along with the neo-baroque pipework. An 1855 chamber organ was also erected in the South transept for use when the choir sings in that location.

Database Manager on August 5th, 2013:
Updated through online information from Alexander Pattavina.

Database Manager on June 10th, 2011:
Updated through online information from Alex P.. -- Gallery Organ built 1905 (moved to current building in 1920's), enlarged, revised by Casavant, enlarged, additions by Aeolian Skinner. Chancel Organ built in 1947 by Casavant, digital voices added later. 8' Trompette en Chamade is behind altar, possibly from Mother Church in Boston, and scaled down to fit the room

Database Manager on November 21st, 2009:
Identified through online information from a student. -- New console for existing Gallery and Chancel Organs.

Webpage Links: Tour of St. Paul Church [organ Page] , Tour of St. Paul Church

Related Instrument Entries: Jesse Woodberry (& Co.) (Opus 251, 1904) , Casavant Frères Ltée. (Opus 2560-A, 1959) , Casavant Frères Ltée. (Opus 1893, 1947) , Paul F. C. Mias (1924) , Arthur Birchall (1971) , Nelson Barden (& Associates) (1981)

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