Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church
1020 N. Front Street
Philadelphia,
PA
19123 US
Organ ID: 14522
The church building, designed by Edwin Forrest Durang, was designated as a historic building by the Philadelphia Historical Commission on February 6, 2019.
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.
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.
Updated through online information from Ken Houser.
Updated through online information from Stuart P. Brian. -- The organ is played at 10:00 Sunday Mass as of April 2011.
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.
Organ was playing through at least the 1990s. In need of restorative repairs.