"The search for an organ began in 1885. Within the year, St. Mary-s church committee signed a contract with the (Carl) Barckhoff Organ Company, and the gallery organ was installed on November 29th, 1890 for $6,000. Isaac Van Vleck Flagler, a music professor and lecturer at Colgate University and the Chautauqua Institution, performed the dedicatory recital on December 7th following Vespers." (Margaret-Mary Owens)

Updated by Philip Fillion, who has heard or played the organ.

I am the director of music at St. Mary's Church. Parsons Pipe Organ Builders completed a restoration in 2017; the organ is unaltered with the exception of the addition of a full-length pedal 16' Trombone of wood, from a contemporary Hook. The only other change made in the restoration was the recomposition of the Swell Cornet III, at the suggestion of David Fedor. The 5 1/3' rank, which began at mid-C, was removed, and now the composition is simply 12.15.19, resulting in a more versatile and usable chorus.

Updated through online information from David E. Fedor. -- I have followed the instrument through nearly 60 years of its history, and will return to Auburn in November 2010 to give a recital celebrating the 120th anniversary of its installation which was completed on 29 Nov. 1890. Stop action is mechanical with pneumatic motors to operate sliders. Each manual has 6 non-adjustable combination pistons which visibly move the stop knobs. Organ is used regularly, well maintained, and in very good condition. Except for necessary mechanical replacements, everything is original. Spencer blower added somewhere in the early 20th century. New bellows replaced the original c. 1957. All pipework is original and was repaired and restored by A. Richard Strauss during the 1979 rebuild.

Rebuilt by Strauss in 1979.