Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Hook & Hastings (1899)

Location:

Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church
1020 N. Front Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123 US
Organ ID: 14522

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Roman Catholic Churches
  • The organ is unaltered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Slider
  • 30 ranks. 4 divisions. 3 manuals.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a gallery-level case at the rear of the room.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 3
  • Divisions: 4
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 30
  • Key Action: Suspended tracker.
  • Stop Action: Tubular-pneumatic connection between stop control and chest.
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Paul R. Marchesano on February 02, 2021:

The church building, designed by Edwin Forrest Durang, was designated as a historic building by the Philadelphia Historical Commission on February 6, 2019.

We received the most recent update for this note from Paul R. Marchesano on February 02, 2021.
Database Manager on May 03, 2017:

Updated by Paul Marchesano, who has heard or played the organ.
The church was closed in 2012. I believe the organ is still in situ, but is not played. Unfortunately, neither 1996 (when the church was open and the organ was in use regularly) nor in 2016 did the OHS National Convention visit the organ. At both times it was the only extant 3 manual Hook & Hastings tracker in Philadelphia.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on May 03, 2017:

Updated by Paul Marchesano, who has heard or played the organ.
Update to previous entry - the church was closed in 2011 (not 2012) and was suppressed at that time to an alternate worship site for St. Michael Roman Catholic Church. A brief history plus several photos of the room and organ are available on the Philadelphia Church Project web site.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on April 22, 2013:

Updated through online information from Ken Houser.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on April 06, 2011:

Updated through online information from Stuart P. Brian. -- The organ is played at 10:00 Sunday Mass as of April 2011.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on April 09, 2009:

Updated through online information from John McEnerney. -- Typical 3m tracker with bright commanding tone given by III mixture. The loft is much larger than the freestanding organ requires so it is not "packed in" to a small chamber. Church has a high ceiling so the sound is not swallowed up.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on February 25, 2005:

Organ was playing through at least the 1990s. In need of restorative repairs.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist taken from the console December, 2015
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

Left Drawknobs: Photograph by Dr. Stuart P. Brian.

Right Drawknobs: Photograph by Dr. Stuart P. Brian. Taken on 2012-11-21

Builder's Nameplate: Photograph by Dr. Stuart P. Brian. Taken on 2012-11-21

Pedalboard, Foot Levers, and Expression Shoe: Photograph by Dr. Stuart P. Brian. Taken on 2012-11-21

Console: Photograph by Dr. Stuart P. Brian.

Balcony and Organ Case: Photograph by Dr. Stuart P. Brian.

Church interior to rear and organ case: Photograph by via John Bishop, Organ Clearing House, submitted by Jeff Scofield.

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