Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

E.M. Skinner & Son (Opus 507, 1936)

Exhibited in the 2015 OHS convention(s)

Location:

First Congregational Church
129 Main St.
Northampton, MA 01060 US
Organ ID: 6709

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Congregational Church
  • The organ is unaltered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is good, in regular use.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Jeff Scofield on April 27, 2022.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: EP pitman
  • 42 ranks. 3 manuals. 36 stops. 50 registers.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): EP pitman chests
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 3
  • Stops: 36
  • Registers: 50
  • 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.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on angled jambs.
  • Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
  • 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
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on July 30, 2015:

Updated through online information from Bill Czelusniak. -- During a full tuning of this instrument in June 2015, in preparation for the OHS convention, we noted a signature "carved" into one expression shade in the Choir division: "A. Mickey Cicala / June 30, 1937 / Finish"

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

First organ from Methuen shop. Electrification & rebuild of Church's previous 1888 Johnson & Son Op. 718. [Church also had 1856 Johnson Op. 57 (3-35reg) which burned in 1877, then 1878 Johnson Op. 508 (3m).]

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

The new organ, funded by Mrs. Arthur Curtiss James in memory of her father, Sydenham Clark Parsons, was dedicated by Virgil Fox, with great publicity.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist from Dedication Program, via Jonathan Bowen
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Write-up from THE DIAPASON November 1936: Open In New Tab Stoplist and description
We received the most recent update for this document from Jeff Scofield on April 27, 2022.

Instrument Images:

Sanctuary Interior, Chancel, and Organ Case: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2014-01-20

Chancel and Organ Case: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2014-01-20

Sanctuary Interior, Chancel, and Organ Case: Photograph by Len Levasseur. Taken on 2014-01-20

Church Exterior: Vintage Postcard, courtesy of T. Bradford Willis, DDS (1930s).

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