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