Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Austin Organ Co. (Opus 507, 1914)

Exhibited in the 1996, 2016 OHS convention(s)

Location:

St. Clement's Church, Episcopal
2013 Appletree Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103 US
Church
Organ ID: 11943

Update This Entry

Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Episcopal and Anglican Churches
  • The organ has been renovated with changes from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is good, in regular use.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Paul R. Marchesano on October 20, 2022.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Austin Universal Air
  • 49 ranks. 3,221 pipes. 5 divisions. 4 manuals. 44 stops. 55 registers.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Austin Universal Air chests
  • Position: In side chambers at the front of the room. Facade pipes or case front visible.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 5
  • Stops: 44
  • Registers: 55
  • Position: Console in fixed position, left.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Stop keys above top manual.
  • Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Paul R. Marchesano on October 20, 2022:

The Austin organ Op. 507, 1914, which cost $11,900, incorporated much of the 1883 Roosevelt pipework (and therefore, possibly, some of the Standbridge pipework.) -- 1996 OHS Handbook

We received the most recent update for this note from Paul R. Marchesano on October 20, 2022.
Paul R. Marchesano on December 29, 2020:

The 1997 renovations included installing a new console built by R.A. Colby, including expression slide bars on the manual keyslips "a la" Wanamaker Organ.

We received the most recent update for this note from Paul R. Marchesano on December 29, 2020.
Database Manager on June 07, 2014:

The organ retained 24 ranks from 1883 Hilborne L. Roosevelt Op. 125; according to the church website "In 1948, a new Austin console was installed, and some tonal changes were made; additional tonal 'modernizations' occurred in the 1960's. With the exception of a few new voices, the instrument is now restored to its original 1914 specification, using vintage Austin pipework wherever possible. Several orchestral voices, including a French Horn (E.M. Skinner) have been added to the specification.

A comprehensive restoration project, completed in 1997, involved several fine craftsmen: Samuel H. Hughes (reed voices restoration), Steven Emery (mechanical restoration and tuning), Robert Wuestoff/Fritzsche Organ Co. (chamber and pipe cleaning), Bynum Petty (Choir Organ pipework revoicing) and Bob Schopp (Façade refinishing and Trumpets En Chamade)."

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on February 11, 2019.
Database Manager on December 21, 2004:

Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. web site, accessed December 20, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist from the 1996 edition of the OHS <i>The Tracker</i>
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
  • Organs - Brief history, stop list

Instrument Images:

Sanctuary Interior, Chancel. and Twin Organ Cases: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-15

Sanctuary Interior, Chancel. and Twin Organ Cases: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-15

Left Organ Case: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2015-02-15

Sanctuary Interior, Chancel, and Organ Cases: Vintage Postcard; image courtesy of William Dunklin (1921).

Choir and right organ case, showing newly installed upper windows in the Choir.: Photograph courtesy of Jim Stettner, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken approx. c. 1919

Church interior: Photograph by Joseph Routon, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2019-12-08

Church interior: Photograph by Dylan David Shaw, via Facebook, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2023-03-19

Pipe Organs in the Philadelphia area sponsored by:
This instrument has been viewed 3,172 times.