Austin Organs, Inc.
Opus 2204, 1953
First Church of Christ, Scientist
2619 Dwight Way
Berkeley, CA, US
39 Ranks - 2,294 Pipes
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IMAGES
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STOPLISTS
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CONSOLES
Builder: Unknown
Position: Console in Fixed Position, Center
Design: Traditional With Roll Top
Pedalboard Type: Concave Radiating (Meeting AGO Standards)
Features:
3 Manuals (61 Notes)32 Note Pedal4 Divisions45 Stops31 RegistersElectrical Key ActionElectrical Stop Action✓ Combination Thumb Piston(s)✓ Combination Toe Piston(s)✓ Coupler Thumb Piston(s)✓ Coupler Toe Piston(s)✓ Sforzando Thumb Piston(s)✓ Sforzando Toe Piston(s)Stop Layout: Stop Keys Above Top Manual
Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Meeting AGO Standards)
Combination Action: 'Hold and Set' Pneumatic/Mechanical
Control System: Unknown or N/A
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DETAILS
This instrument is: Extant and Playable in this location
Updated through online information from Benjamin Smith: This is the organ within the sanctuary. As of 02/19/2024, it is played every week, though has a few dead notes. The church's organist said: 'This instrument has a very special distinction in that it was designed by the eminent organ architect, James B. Jamison. It is one of the few completely unaltered examples of his work.' See "Organ Design and Appraisal" by Jamison, originally published in 1969.
Benjamin Smith on March 13th, 2024:
As of 02/19/2024, the instrument is played every week, though it has a few dead notes. The swell and chorus are enclosed.
Video of the instrument being played is available at: https://vimeo.com/915722218 from time 13:48 to 19:14.
This is the Austin organ in the main hall, there is another Austin organ in the Sunday School.
Kirk Kryvenchuk on June 7th, 2022:
The architect of the church was actually Bernard Maybeck and the building was listed as a National Historic Landmark in 1977.
Database Manager on April 29th, 2012:
Updated through online information from Timothy Tikker. -- The church was designed by architect Julia Morgan. I last played this organ in 1981, at which time it was unaltered and in full original playing condition.
Database Manager on January 8th, 2005:
Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. web site, accessed December 31, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm.
Webpage Links: An American Masterpiece: The First Church of Christ, Scientist, Berkeley
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