Lewis and Hitchcock, Inc. - Pipe Organ Builders Since 1915
Rebuilt Organs

McKendree-Sims-Brookland UMC

Washington, D.C. - Rebuilt by Lewis & Hitchcock

The story of the rebuilt organ in McKendree-Sims-Brookland United Methodist Church begins with Mary Hubbard. She had been Director of Music for many years, and had to deal with a 1938 Möller organ that was originally built for a home and installed in the church after World War II. The console was large, and located in the far right rear corner of the divided Choir Chancel, giving poor sight lines and making it difficult to hear the choir or the organ.

When the church merged with first one and then another local congregation, she realized they were near the goal of a new or rebuilt organ. But the funds were less than desired, so discussions were begun about what to do. About that time the Möller firm went bankrupt, and one of the instruments left in their factory for rebuilding became available. Part of this organ would fit perfectly in the plans for McKendree. The rest could either come from the existing organ or parts that were in storage. The result was a rebuilt instrument that is basically a new organ. A new modern low-profile stoptab console was provided, with every modern convenience for the organist. Until the divided Choir Chancel can be remodeled, this console is on the main floor near the pulpit, where the organist and see and hear clearly.

Everything retained from the original organ was rebuilt to new standards, including the Harp and Chimes, and the French Horn rank that is a favorite of the organist and congregation. The additions include new windchests for the Great and Pedal, exposed on each side in front of the tone openings for the Swell and Choir divisions.

The parts that were obtained from the Möller organ were also rebuilt to new standards, and include all the sounds necessary for Choral and Congregational singing, as well as for playing the literature. A special feature is the Antiphonal division, exposed in the rear gallery, which is helpful for supporting the Choir in procession and congregational singing. A Festival Trompette stop is located here, which is useful for fanfares and Trumpet tunes.

Full MIDI implementation includes a Roland Orchestral Sound Generator, and a Sequencer to record and play back performances. A Hammond keyboard is also available, which utilizes the MIDI equipment for it's connection to the sound system. This is useful for the special Gospel services regularly held at the church.

The result is an organ with just about everything any organist could desire. The solid-state control system even has a manual transfer that exchanges the Choir and Great keys and pistons, so that the organ can be set up for typical French registrations, as well as making the playing of large choral accompaniments more facile.

Great Organ

16' Gemshorn

from #2 & #13

1.

8' Diapason

61 pipes, rebuilt

8' Gedeckt

from #13

2.

8' Gemshorn

61 pipes, rebuilt

3.

4' Principal

61 pipes, rebuilt

4' Gedeckt

from #13

2' Octave

12 pipes & #3

2 2/3' Cornet III

from #'s 13, 16 & 17

4.

2' Fourniture III

183 pipes, rebuilt

8' Trompette

from #11

Chimes

21 tubes, rebuilt

16' Great to Great

8' Great Unison Off

4' Great to Great

16' Swell to Great

8' Swell to Great

4' Swell to Great

16' Choir to Great

8' Choir to Great

4' Choir to Great

Antiphonal on Great

MIDI

Swell

5.

8' Bourdon

61 pipes, rebuilt

6.

8' Viole de Gambe

61 pipes, rebuilt

7.

8' Viole Celeste tc

49 pipes, rebuilt

8.

4' Spitz Principal

61 pipes, rebuilt

9.

4' Nachthorn

61 pipes, rebuilt

4' Bourdon

from #5

2' Octavin

12 pipes & #8, rebuilt

10.

1' Plein Jeu III

183 pipes, rebuilt

16' Contre Trompette

from #11

11.

8' Trompette

61 pipes, rebuilt

12.

8' Oboe

61 pipes, present

4' Clarion

from #11

Tremolo

16' Swell to Swell

8' Swell Unison Off

4' Swell to Swell

Antiphonal on Swell

MIDI

Choir

13.

8' Lieblich Gedeckt

61 pipes, present

14.

8' Erzähler

61 pipes, rebuilt

15.

8' Erzähler Celeste

49 pipes, rebuilt

4' Lieblich Flute

12 pipes & 13, present

16.

2 2/3' Nazard

61 pipes, rebuilt

2' Flautino

12 pipes & 13, present

17.

1 3/5' Tierce

61 pipes, rebuilt

18.

8' French Horn

61 pipes, present

Tremolo

Harp

49 bars, rebuilt

16' Choir to Choir

8' Choir Unison Off

4' Choir to Choir

16' Swell to Choir

8' Swell to Choir

4' Swell to Choir

Antiphonal on Choir

Great/Choir Transfer

affecting keys and pistons

MIDI

Zimbalstern

4 bells, new

Antiphonal

19.

8' Holz Gedeckt

61 pipes, rebuilt

20.

4' Octave

61 pipes, rebuilt

4' Holz Gedeckt

12 pipes & #19, rebuilt

2' Octave

12 pipes & #20, rebuilt

16' Contre Trompette tc

from #21

21.

8' Trompette

61 pipes, rebuilt

Pedal

32' Resultant

from # 22

22.

16' Subbass

32 pipes, rebuilt

16' Lieblich Bourdon

from #13

8' Principal

12 pipes & #3, rebuilt

8' Lieblich Gedeckt

from #13

8' Gemshorn

from #2

8' Viole de Gambe

from #6

4' Choral Bass

from #1

4' Lieblich Flute

from #13

16' Contre Trompette tc

12 pipes & #11, rebuilt

8' Trompette

from #11

4' Clarion

from #11

8' Great to Pedal

4' Great to Pedal

8' Swell to Pedal

4' Swell to Pedal

8' Choir to Pedal

4' Choir to Pedal

Antiphonal on Pedal

MIDI

Totals

22 registers

26 ranks

1,629 pipes

Combination Action

a multiple-memory system, operated by

Under Swell:

General 1-5, Sw/P, Swell 1-5

Under Great:

General 6-10, Gt/P, Great 1-5, Full Organ

Under Choir:

Set, Pedal 1-5, Ch/P, Choir 1-5, General Cancel

Toe Movements

Left:

Center:

Right:

Gen 1-5

Shoes:

Gt/P, Sw/P, Ch/P, Full Organ

Gen 6-10

Ch/Sw/Cresc

Pedal 1-5

Transposer: +/- 6 half steps

Memory Level Selector: 1-99

Crescendo Level selector: 1-4

MIDI resource centerRoland Sound Generator with amplifier and speakersHammond Keyboard, with connectors to/from console MIDI resource center