Our One Hundred Year Old Pipe Organ
Preparing for the centennial celebration of our sanctuary began in 1991. Our pipe organ was in great disrepair. A decision had to be made to either replace it or have it totally rebuilt. After several inquirers and some research we discovered that our organ was truly a treasure and if refurbished and rebuilt
it would last us another one hundred years.
BACKGROUND
HISTORY: Hook & Hastings was an organ building firm that was founded by Elias and George Hook in 1827. In 1872 Francis H. Hastings entered into partnership and in 1881 the company became known as Hook& Hastings. They we known as master builders of pipe organs.
According to company records from the Hook & Hastings Company, our organ, opus 1648, was built in 1894 for the Methodist Episcopal Church in Farmingdale, N.J. It is a two manual and pedal organ containing seven ranks of pipes. In the company records of circa 1881 it is listed as a "size No. 35, having a list price of $1250.00, freight and set up not included."
In 1989 and 1990 funds became available through memorial gifts, bequest and gifts to the organ restoration fund. In the late spring of 1991 the organ was removed piece by piece and trucked to Silver Spring, PA. Here the R.J. Brunner Co. Organbuilders cleaned and polished all of the internal works of the
organ. Lathering was replaced, the windchests were rebuilt. Some keys on the keyboard were replaced and all were buffed to their original luster. All the pipe work was washed and the facade pips were striped of the old paint which had darkened and replaced with fresh gold paint.
Several members of our congregation sanded down and refinished the outer casing of the organ which had been left behind. Mid September, after about three and one half months, out organ was back home and more beautiful then ever. Our organ rededication took place on September 29, 1991. Phase one of our Centennial celebration was completed and we were ready to continue making our plans to celebrate other aspects of our Bicentennial and Centennial.
it would last us another one hundred years.
BACKGROUND
HISTORY: Hook & Hastings was an organ building firm that was founded by Elias and George Hook in 1827. In 1872 Francis H. Hastings entered into partnership and in 1881 the company became known as Hook& Hastings. They we known as master builders of pipe organs.
According to company records from the Hook & Hastings Company, our organ, opus 1648, was built in 1894 for the Methodist Episcopal Church in Farmingdale, N.J. It is a two manual and pedal organ containing seven ranks of pipes. In the company records of circa 1881 it is listed as a "size No. 35, having a list price of $1250.00, freight and set up not included."
In 1989 and 1990 funds became available through memorial gifts, bequest and gifts to the organ restoration fund. In the late spring of 1991 the organ was removed piece by piece and trucked to Silver Spring, PA. Here the R.J. Brunner Co. Organbuilders cleaned and polished all of the internal works of the
organ. Lathering was replaced, the windchests were rebuilt. Some keys on the keyboard were replaced and all were buffed to their original luster. All the pipe work was washed and the facade pips were striped of the old paint which had darkened and replaced with fresh gold paint.
Several members of our congregation sanded down and refinished the outer casing of the organ which had been left behind. Mid September, after about three and one half months, out organ was back home and more beautiful then ever. Our organ rededication took place on September 29, 1991. Phase one of our Centennial celebration was completed and we were ready to continue making our plans to celebrate other aspects of our Bicentennial and Centennial.