Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

A. B. Felgemaker Co. (Opus 878, 1905)

Exhibited in the 2007 OHS convention(s)

Location:

Bethel A.M.E. Church
404 W. Vermont Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202 US
Organ ID: 4431

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Methodist Churches
  • The organ is unaltered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is good, used occasionally.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Paul R. Marchesano on January 25, 2023.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Slider
  • 16 ranks. 945 pipes. 3 divisions. 2 manuals. 14 stops. 15 registers.
Great:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a case at the front of the room.
  • Built by A. B. Felgemaker Co.
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on June 11, 2022.

Swell (Expressive):
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a case at the front of the room.
  • Built by A. B. Felgemaker Co.
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on June 11, 2022.

Pedal:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a case at the front of the room.
  • Built by A. B. Felgemaker Co.
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on June 11, 2022.
Main:
  • Built by A. B. Felgemaker Co.
  • Manuals: 2
  • Divisions: 3
  • Stops: 14
  • Registers: 15
  • Position: Keydesk attached.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • 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 a keyboard cover that can be lifted to form a music rack.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in horizontal rows on terraced/stepped jambs.
  • Combination Action: Fixed mechanical system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Flat radiating pedalboard.
  • Has Combination Action Foot Trundles
  • Has Hitchdown Couplers
We received the most recent update for this console from Jim Stettner on June 11, 2022.
Database Manager on May 07, 2018:
We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on February 27, 2018:

Updated by Timothy E. Conyers, who gave this as the source of the information: Indianapolis Star newspaper, April 11, 2016; the church website; and the website of T&W Church Solutions @ https://www.tw-church.com/bethel-ame-church/.

The historic Vermont Street building was sold in the Spring of 2016 to a businessman who plans to incorporate the building facade into a new hotel. Due to the historic nature of the building, the hotel, the Indiana Landmarks, and the Indiana Historical Society have been involved in legal battles over the proposed destruction of major sections of the historic building. The congregation vacated the building in August 2016. According to the church website a new facility is being built on Zionsville Road in NW Indianapolis, far removed from its downtown location. Construction of the new building is underway as of January 2018. When completed the sanctuary will seat 300 and include the relocation of the historic organ from the original Vermont Street location.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on February 09, 2007:

"Pristine condition," OHS 2007.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on October 30, 2004:

In poor condition 1974.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
From 2007 convention program: Open In New Tab Originally published 2007
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Jim Stettner on June 11, 2022.

Instrument Images:

Church Exterior: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 2006-06-17

Organ Case and Keydesk: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 2006-06-17

Chancel and Pipe Facade: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 2006-06-17

Opus Number Plate: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 2006-06-17

Builder's Nameplate: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 2006-06-17

Left Drawknobs: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 2006-06-17

Right Drawknobs: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 2006-06-17