M. P. Möller (Opus 11753, 1987)

Location:

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
135 West 31st Street
New York City: Manhattan, NY 10001 US
Organ ID: 27646

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Roman Catholic Churches
  • The organ has been altered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition needs attention, but in usable condition.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Jeff Scofield on November 03, 2020.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Information unknown or not applicable
  • 88 ranks. 4,701 pipes. 5 divisions. 4 manuals. 83 stops.
All:
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 5
  • Stops: 83
  • Position: Console in fixed position, center.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on angled jambs.
  • Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Jeff Scofield on November 03, 2020:

By Steven E. Lawson via the NYC AGO NYC Organ Project: The grand dedication ceremonies of the present church took place on Sunday, July 17, 1892. Archbishop Corrigan blessed the church and consecrated the three altars. Archbishop Winand M. Wigger of Newark, who had grown up across the street from the original church, delivered the sermon. He was also the donor of a large stained glass window dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. As the war years passed, St. Francis Church continued to grow in popularity, and more masses were added to the daily schedule. In the late 1950s plans were made for the renovation of the upper church. The dedication of three new marble altars in May of 1961 marked the end of five years of major construction. New entrances at 31st and 32nd Streets, new outdoor shrines and the air-conditioning of the upper church were accomplished during that time.

On January 23, 1987, the M.P. Möller Co. of Hagerstown, Md., signed a contract to build a new organ for St. Francis of Assisi Church. Möller retained the Reuben Midmer & Son case plus several ranks of pipes from earlier instruments. The four-manual drawknob console is of walnut and has tracker-touch manuals of bone with walnut sharps; the tilting-tablet couplers are of maple. As originally installed, the organ had 57 stops and 88 ranks.

During the final week of July 2009, several days of heavy rain took their toll on both the tower and the organ, flooding the Récit and Pédale, which are recessed into the tower. The parish contracted with Sebastian M. Glück of New York City to replace the destroyed slider chests of the Récit and to restore the expression enclosure and Pédale windchests. At that time, a contract was signed for Mr. Glück to carry out tonal revisions, revoicing, and tonal finishing. The Récit division was completed in the Autumn of 2010, although the rest of the instrument remains unrestored.

We received the most recent update for this note from Jeff Scofield on November 03, 2020.

Database Manager on December 04, 2010:

Updated through on-line information from Connor Annable.

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

Database Manager on August 27, 2007:

Identified by Jeff Scofield through information in Möller factory documents.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist copied from the factory specifications
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Factory specifications, collection of Jeff Scofield: Open In New Tab Stoplist and accessories
Document created on 1987-02-18
We received the most recent update for this document from Jeff Scofield on May 24, 2023.

Instrument Images:

Church interior to rear gallery and organ case: Photograph by Steven E. Lawson via the NYC AGO Organ Project, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2010-09-03

Church interior to front: Photograph by Steven E. Lawson via the NYC AGO Organ Project, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2010-09-03

Organ case: Photograph by Steven E. Lawson via the NYC AGO Organ Project, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2010-09-03

Console: Photograph by Steven E. Lawson via the NYC AGO Organ Project, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2010-09-03

Church exterior: Photograph by Steven E. Lawson via the NYC AGO Organ Project, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2010-09-03

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