Pipe Organ Database

Updated through online information from Ruth Chivall Black. -- Trinity Methodist Church, West 65th Street and 23rd Avenue N. W. Seattle Organ Dedication, Tuesday, May 25, 1954
From the dedication program:

About the Organ
In 1929 the designers of the new building for Trinity Methodist Church were farsighted enough to incorporate into it construction facilities to house a complete pipe organ, with the thought that one day in years to follow it would be possible to fill the chambers with the finest organ equipment available.

In the interim the music in the sanctuary was provided by a piano, first, and then, through the generous gift of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Stewart, a Hammond Electric Organ. Late in 1952 our pastor discussed the possibility of acquiring a pipe organ as the final step toward completion of our church sanctuary. This challenge, though monumental in proportion, was accepted and met by the people of Trinity, and the new pipe organ was first heard in April, 1954.

The basis of Trinity Methodist's new organ is the Hook and Hastings Organ which served the First Methodist Church of Tacoma from 1893 until 1953. Balcom and Vaughan, organ builders of Seattle, were entrusted with the work of rebuilding and enlarging this exceptionally fine instrument, with Professor Walter A. Eichinger of the University of Washington and Mr. C. M. Balcom, president of Balcom and Vaughan, collaborating in drawing up the specifications.

It was decided that this fine old organ, originally a rather large two-manual, would be much more useful for both service and concert work as a three-manual instrument. Thus, the superbly-voiced Diapason chorus of eight ranks has been placed on the Great and left in its original unenclosed state. The balance of the former Great has then become the Choir organ, of which a new Clarinet and Nazard have been added. The Swell is much the same as formerly with the exception of an all-new reed chorus--Fagotto, Trumpet and Clarion--and the former Violina 4' transposed to a Voix Celeste. The original Pedal Diapason and Bourdon have been extended to 56 pipes each and a new Pedal Tromba of 56 pipes and a Violone of 44 pipes have been added. In all, the instrument now contains 33 sets, numbering 2161 pipes.

Balcom and Vaughan have completely engineered the construction and installation of the instrument so our new pipe organ is completely modern in all details and has the fullness and richness of tone that brings realization to the hopes and aspirations of those who have made this magnificent achievement possible.

Received from Ruth Black via e-mail: -- I visited Trinity Methodist Church in Jan. 2010. At that time the organ was not in use. (A piano was used for services).

The console was moveable when installed in 1954 and was the same in 1961 when I left the area. The organ console is on a moveable platform. At various times the console faced the altar (north); it has also faced to the west.

The choir railing was removable thus enabling the organ to be moved to the center, in front of the altar. This was done for concerts. When I visited the church in 2010, this was unknown by the church personnel with whom I spoke.

Updated through online information from James Ludden. -- Revoiced in 1962 with David Dahl, who was then the organist. We moved pipes. Work celebrated by E Power Biggs concert, arranged by David Dahl, who is organ professor at Pacific Lutheran University, in Parkland, Washington.

Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- This was the moving, electrification, enlargement, and reinstallation of the 1893 Hook & Hastings, Opus 1561, originally built for First Methodist in Tacoma. It was replaced there in 1955 by a new 3-man. Aeolian-Skinner. 23 of the 29 ranks are from the Hook & Hastings. Winchests are all new.