Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Hook & Hastings (Opus 2580, 1930)

Location:

First Church of Christ, Scientist
361 Central Park West
New York City: Manhattan, NY 10025 US
Organ ID: 6010

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Church of Christ, Scientist
  • The organ is no longer a complete instrument; dispersed/parted out.
  • The organ's condition is not playable.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Brad Engelland on July 18, 2022.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Electro-pneumatic (EP)
  • 68 ranks. 4,231 pipes. 6 divisions. 4 manuals. 70 stops.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Electro-pneumatic (EP) chests
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 6
  • Stops: 70
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Paul R. Marchesano on July 17, 2022:

Another sad day in NYC for the organ world. 1903 Hutchings, 1st Church of Christ Scientist 96th St. What selfish idiots. The building is being transformed into condos. But the developer (nice guy, who I met today) should have done some research. So the former sexton was told to dismantle the organ. He started today, and managed to trash the entire Great division.

I hope to remove a few reeds from the Swell, Solo and Choir if there's time. The full length 32' is probably up for grabs. Contact me privately if interested. I may have a buyer for the facade pipes.

-- Anthony Meloni, posted on Facebook, 16 July, 2014

We received the most recent update for this note from Paul R. Marchesano on July 17, 2022.
Database Manager on December 26, 2019:

From the NYC AGO NYC Organ Project: In 1930, the Hook & Hastings Company of Boston was contracted to modernize the 1903 Hutchings-Votey organ. Hook & Hastings cleaned and releathered the organ, extended some ranks to 73 notes, and provided a new detached four-manual drawknob console. Around 1972, the console was rebuilt by Fred Lloyd and Arthur Schoedel. New couplers were installed, and the side jambs were fitted with Klann stop tabs. By the 1990s, the organ had become unreliable and efforts were made by Lorenz Maycher, organist for 10 years, to raise funds for the restoration of this historic organ.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on December 27, 2019.
Database Manager on January 17, 2011:

Updated through online information from Connor Annable.

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

The original builder was Hutchings-Votey (1903, Opus483).

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

Status Note: There 1992.

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

Rebuild of 1903 Hutchings-Votey. Static reservoir releathered 1992. (By Donald Hunt?). OHS Historic Organs Recital 15 Dec 1991.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Stoplist from <i>The Diapason</i> January 1930 via Sebastian Gluck: Open In New Tab
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on December 27, 2019.

Instrument Images:

Church interior: Photograph from the collection of Jim Lewis, via the NYC AGO NYC Organ Project.

1930 Console: From THE DIAPASON April 1930 courtesy of Sebastian Glück via the NYC AGO NYC Organ Project.

Console after 1972 renovation: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 1996-07-08

Reeds and rack pins in a bucket after sexton had begun dismantling organ: Photograph by Anthony Meloni via Facebook, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken on 2014-07-16

Various pipes thrown in a pile on the floor after sexton began dismantling organ: Photograph by Anthony Meloni via Facebook, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken on 2014-07-16

View of chambers through empty facade during removal of remainder of organ: Photograph by Anthony Meloni via Facebook, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken on 2014-07-16

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