Hope-Jones Organ Co. (Opus 2, 1908)

Exhibited in the 2018 OHS convention(s)

Location:

First Universalist Church
150 South Clinton Ave.
Rochester, NY 14604-1803 US
Organ ID: 658

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Colleges and Universities
  • 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 Database Manager on June 22, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Wurlitzer
  • 13 ranks. 4 divisions. 3 manuals.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Wurlitzer chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. Facade pipes or case front visible.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on June 22, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 3
  • Divisions: 4
  • Position: Console in fixed position, center.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
  • Stop Controls: Stop keys in horseshoe curves.
  • Combination Action: Setterboard (remote or in console).
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on June 22, 2018.
Database Manager on May 07, 2018:
We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on June 22, 2018.

Database Manager on May 05, 2013:

Updated through online information from Scot Huntington. -- The organ was dedicated by Edwin Lemare on Oct. 6, 1908, in spite of last minute sabotage inflicted on the instrument. The subject of ridicule by local musicians for many years, in 1929 the organ began to be broadcast over WHAM by the noted British cathedral organist Thomas Grierson, who had emigrated to Rochester – broadcasts which continued until his retirement in 1947. The organ was rediscovered as an instrument capable of great beauty in the right hands, and the broadcasts of organ, choir and soloists were extremely popular.

The organ was altered slightly by the Wurlitzer Company in 1937 with the addition of Chimes, the possible alteration/revoicing of the Cornopean, and the enclosure of two unenclosed ranks – work made possible by a substantial anonymous gift as a memorial to the church's chairwoman. The organ is the largest Hope-Jones instrument extant in the United States, and perhaps the most unaltered of his instruments remaining, in the world. It was nominated for an OHS Historic Organ Citation in 1994 in order to help stave off under-budgeted work by an unqualified builder. However, before the plaque could be presented, the builder proceeded with the project which so severely compromised the organ that the plaque was never presented.

In recent years, restorative repairs have been made as funds permit, and the OHS Citation is still active, with a formal presentation pending a return of this historic instrument to a condition commensurate with its historic status.

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

Database Manager on May 30, 2011:

Updated through online information from Paul Marchesano.

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 1990

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
from OHS 2018 Convention Handbook and Scot Huntington: Open In New Tab Typed Specification
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on December 18, 2018.

Instrument Images:

Church Interior, Chancel, and Pipe Facades: Photograph by Paul L. and Sally L. Gordon; image courtesy of the Library of Congress. Taken on 1966-10-23

Main Chamber: Clarinet, Vox Humana, Trumpet, Gedact, Viole d'Orchestre Celeste, Viole d'Orchestre, Horn Diapason, Unda Maris, Aeoline, Concert Flute: Photograph by Jonathan Ortloff. Taken on 2014-09-15

Main Chamber: Diapason Phonon and Tibia Clausa, showing original chest, originally outside expression shutters: Photograph by Jonathan Ortloff. Taken on 2014-09-15

Main Chamber: Diapason Phonon and Tibia Clausa, showing original chest originally outside expression enclosure: Photograph by Jonathan Ortloff. Taken on 2014-09-15

The original Hope-Jones relay, ruined by a failed restoration in the 1990s, still extant adjacent to the organ chamber: Photograph by Jonathan Ortloff. Taken on 2014-09-15

Tuba chamber: Photograph by Jonathan Ortloff. Taken on 2014-09-15

Console: Photograph by Jonathan Ortloff. Taken on 2014-09-15

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