Hook & Hastings
Opus 1893, 1901

The organ was donated to the church and paid for by Mrs. D. H. Hastings, wife of former Governor Hastings, at a cost of $3,000. - from a "special telegram" to the Philadelphia Times, April 13, 1901, p. 4.

Updated by J. Karen Arnold, who maintains the organ.

The 4-part project of restoration of the organ's tuning devices has now been 100% completed, as of May 25, 2018. The work was done by SDG Organs of Millersville, PA.

Updated by J. Karen Arnold, Dir. of Music, who has heard or played the organ.

August 16, 2017:

Corrections:

Error in the Ellenberger update - should read "This organ was restored by R. J. Brunner in 1991."

As the result of new information discovered in 2016-2017, the following corrections, additions and update:

Correction: The removal of the original Oboe of this organ and its replacement with a trumpet of unknown source, age and manufacture was carried out by a now deceased Harrisburg, PA tuner, who serviced the organ during the 1970s. The reason for the removal of the oboe and what became of it are unknown, but at the time of its removal the oboe was intact and undamaged, contrary to reports that it had been water-damaged. This information was provided in December, 2016 discussion with a longtime local organist who was present at the time the removal occurred, assisting the tuner from the keyboard while the tuner worked in the chamber.

It was discovered in early 2017 that the original power source for this organ when installed was a Ross water engine, which remains in place in the church basement to date and not manual pumping. The engine rod was run through a faux support post to span the first floor and thereafter enter the 2nd floor organ chamber. It was replaced by an electrical blower in 1941 and a Laukhuff blower in 1991.

Update: The church in 2017 has begun a restoration of the organ's tuning devices, and at this time is approximately 50% completed. This represents the first significant maintenance since 1991. The tuning device restoration project is being done by SDG Organs of Millersville, PA, who have cared for the organ since 2012. A notation on one of the Stopped Diapason rank recently undergoing re-stoppering indicates a pipework date of 1898. The organ was installed in 1901 after the church was expanded to accommodate the construction of the chamber and choir loft.

According to e-mail received from J.K. Arnold, a Trumpet has been substituted for the original oboe, which was ruined by water damage.

Updated through online information from J. Karen Arnold.

Updated through online information from J.T. Ellenberger. -- This organ was restored by R.J. Brunner in the 80s.