Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Andover Organ Co. (Opus R-99, 1967)

Originally Wm. B.D. Simmons (1853)
Exhibited in the 2005 OHS convention(s)

Location:

First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist
824 Tremont Street
Duxbury, MA 02332 US
Sanctuary; rear gallery
Organ ID: 3431

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Unitarian, Universalist, Unitarian-Universalist
  • The organ has been rebuilt or substantially revised.
  • The organ's condition is good, in regular use.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Jim Stettner on September 14, 2023.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Slider
  • 21 ranks. 1,098 pipes. 3 divisions. 2 manuals. 18 stops. 19 registers.
Great:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a gallery-level case at the rear of the room.
  • Built by Wm. B.D. Simmons
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on September 14, 2023.

Swell (Expressive):
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a gallery-level case at the rear of the room.
  • Built by Wm. B.D. Simmons
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on September 14, 2023.

Pedal:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a gallery-level case at the rear of the room.
  • Built by Wm. B.D. Simmons
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on September 14, 2023.
Main:
  • Built by Wm. B.D. Simmons
  • Manuals: 2
  • Divisions: 3
  • Stops: 18
  • Registers: 19
  • Position: Keydesk attached, manuals set into case.
  • Manual Compass: 56
  • Pedal Compass: 30
  • Key Action: Mechanical connection from key to chest (tracker, sticker or mix).
  • Stop Action: Mechanical connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with hinged doors that enclose keyboards.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on flat jambs.
  • Combination Action: No combination action.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Flat straight pedalboard.
  • Has Hitchdown Couplers
We received the most recent update for this console from Jim Stettner on September 14, 2023.
Database Manager on November 16, 2008:

Updated through online information from James R. Stettner. -- This was a project of mechanical renovation and tonal alterations. The Great received a new III Mixture in place of the original 8' Claribella, and the 4' Flute and 8' Trumpet were made full-compass. On the Swell, 5 of the 6 speaking stops were "new," though some are made from other recycled pipework. Only the 8' St. Diapason is original. On the Pedal, the compass was increased from 17 to 30 notes. And the 16' Sub Bass was increased from 13 to 30 pipes. Two other new full-compass registers were also added to the Pedal. The Swell expression mechanism was converted from the original hitch-down to balanced. And the three unison couplers were changed from drawknob to hitch-down. Source: extant organ documented November 30, 1988.

We received the most recent update for this note from Jim Stettner on September 14, 2023.
Database Manager on October 30, 2004:

The original builder was Wm. B. D. Simmons (1853).

We received the most recent update for this note from Jim Stettner on September 14, 2023.
2005 OHS Handbook: Open In New Tab
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Paul R. Marchesano on May 17, 2022.

Instrument Images:

Organ in rear gallery: Photograph from an archival source: Church Facebook page. Taken approx. 2017 before

Wm. B. D. Simmons nameplate: Photograph from an archival source: 2005 OHS Handbook, William T. Van Pelt, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken on 2004-05-10

Keydesk from left: Photograph by James R. Stettner. Taken approx. 1989

Keydesk from right: Photograph by James R. Stettner. Taken approx. 1989

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