Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Austin Organ Co. (Opus 553, 1915)

Location:

First Church of Christ, Scientist / Karpeles Manuscript Museum
700 22nd Street
Rock Island, IL 61201 US
Auditorium; front
Organ ID: 13779

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Museums
  • The organ is unaltered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is not playable.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Austin Universal Air
  • 27 ranks. 4 divisions. 3 manuals. 27 stops. 34 registers.
Great (Expressive):
  • Chest Type(s): Austin Universal Air chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. No visible pipes.
  • Built by Austin Organ Co.
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023.

Swell (Expressive):
  • Chest Type(s): Austin Universal Air chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. No visible pipes.
  • Built by Austin Organ Co.
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023.

Choir (Expressive):
  • Chest Type(s): Austin Universal Air chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. No visible pipes.
  • Built by Austin Organ Co.
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023.

Pedal:
  • Chest Type(s): Austin Universal Air chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. No visible pipes.
  • Built by Austin Organ Co.
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023.
Main:
  • Built by Austin Organ Co.
  • Manuals: 3
  • Divisions: 4
  • Stops: 27
  • Registers: 34
  • Position: Console in fixed position, right.
  • 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, not in standard AGO position.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard.
  • 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 Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023.
Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023:

Updated via email from John Panning on November 18, 2023: "I recently visited the organ and took some photos. Sadly, there were no working lights in the chamber, but it's clear the organ is largely intact and unaltered. The pedalboard, though removed, is nearby. The museum that previously occupied the building has closed, an entrepreneur is currently exploring the possibility of rehabbing the building as a brewpub."

We received the most recent update for this note from Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023.
Database Manager on October 20, 2017:

Updated by Howard Eckdahl, who gave this as the source of the information: Physical observation during visit.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on February 11, 2012:

Received via e-mail from Jim Lewis. -- The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Rock Island, Ill. is now the Karpeles Manuscript Museum. The status of the Austin organ is unknown.

We received the most recent update for this note from Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023.
Database Manager on January 08, 2005:

Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. website, accessed December 31, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Digital scan of a published document, courtesy of Howard Eckdahl; and console photos added Nov. 2023.: Open In New Tab Originally published 10-18-2017
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Jim Stettner on November 19, 2023.

Instrument Images:

Church / Museum exterior: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Cornerstone: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Sanctuary interior and dome: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Sanctuary interior with Reader's platform and organ chamber grille in front: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Reader's platform with console at the right: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Console: Great and Choir stops: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Console: Swell and Pedal stops: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Prepared-for Echo stop tablets: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Lower console with toe studs and pedal movements: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Builder's nameplate: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Space between the grille (left) and the pipe chambers (right). Choir chamber straight ahead: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13

Choir pipework with 4' Flute d'Amour in front, and 8' English Horn immediately behind it: Photograph by John Panning, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken on 2023-11-13