The FPCG Pipe Organ

The William H. Kearns Memorial Organ

When the First Presbyterian sanctuary was completely renovated in 1988, the church decided to purchase a new pipe organ. It was the wish of church member William H. Kearns to give a fitting memorial to his late wife, and the William H. Kearns Memorial Organ was built and installed by the M.P. Möller Organ Company of Hagerstown, MD in 1990. Mr. Kearns himself died before the organ was completed, but his funds provided the major part of the cost, with other donors supplying the balance.

Dr. Richard Bouchett, Minister of Music at the time, and Mr. Frederick Grimes of New York City designed the magnificent 60-rank organ in consultation with Mr. Daniel Angerstein, Tonal Director of M.P. Möller. The instrument favors French Classical and French Romantic music while giving strong leadership to congregational singing; it also accompanies singers, choirs and instrumentalists very well. The main organ is completely encased and speaks clearly down the length of the nave from its prominent position across the front of the church. The brilliant trompette en chamade is mounted above the rear gallery. As an important instrument in the town, the organ is used in concerts and is frequently featured in the church’s Music from the Top concert series.

The organ was first heard on Easter Sunday, April 15, 1990, and at the dedicatory recital on March 10, 1991, Dr. Bouchett performed the world première of The Last Temptation of Christ, a commissioned work by Ruth Schonthal.

Specifications of the M.P. Möller Organ, Opus 11798, 1990
Daniel Angerstein, voicer and tonal finisher

Grand Orgue

16 Flûte conique 12 pipes
8 Montre 61 pipes
8 Bourdon 61 pipes
8 Flûte conique 12 pipes
8 Flûte harmonique 61 pipes
4 Presant 61 pipes
2 Doublette 61 pipes
IV-V Fourniture (2’) 290 pipes
V Grand cornet (TC) 245 pipes
16 Bombarde 12 pipes
8 Trompette 61 pipes
8 Cromorne (Pos)
4 Clairon 61 pipes
Tremblant
8 Trompette en chamade 61 pipes
Deagan Chimes

Pédale

32 Soubasse 12 notes
16 Contre basse 32 pipes
16 Soubasse 32 pipes
16 Flûte conique (G.O.)
16 Quintaton (Pos.)
16 Bourdon (Réc)
10-2/3 Quint (Réc)
8 Montre 12 pipes
8 Flûte couverte 32 pipes
8 Flûte à cheminée (Réc)
8 Flûte conique (G.O.)
4 Octave 32 pipes
4 Flûte ouverte 12 pipes
IV Fourniture (2-2/3’) 128 pipes
32 Bombarde cornet
32 Contre bassoon 12 pipes
16 Bombarde (full length) 32 pipes
16 Basson (Réc)
8 Trompette 12 pipes
4 Clairon 12 pipes
4 Cromorne (Pos)
8 Trompette en chamade
Deagan Chimes

Positif (expressive)

16 Quintaton 12 pipes
8 Montre 61 pipes
8 Bourdon 61 pipes
8 Flûte douce 61 pipes
8 Flûte céleste (TC) 49 pipes
4 Prestant 61 pipes
4 Flûte à cheminée 61 pipes
2-2/3 Nazard 61 pipes
2 Doublette 61 pipes
1-3/5 Tierce 61 pipes
1-1/3 Larigot 12 pipes
1 Flageolet 12 pipes
IV Plein Jeu (1-1/3) 244 pipes
16 Douçaine 12 pipes
8 Trompette 61 pipes
8 Cromorne 61 pipes
Tremblant
8 Trompette en chamade

Récit (expressive)

16 Bourdon 12 pipes
8 Flûte à cheminée 61 pipes
8 Viole de gambe 61 pipes
8 Voix céleste (GG) 54 pipes
4 Principal 61 pipes
4 Flûte à fuseau 61 pipes
2 Octavin (harmonic) 61 pipes
IV Fourniture (2-2/3) 244 pipes
III Cymbale (2/3’) 183 pipes
16 Basson 12 pipes
8 Trompette 61 pipes
8 Basson/Hautbois 61 pipes
8 Voix Humaine 61 pipes
4 Clairon 61 pipes
Tremblant
8 Trompette en chamade

Console of the William H. Kearns Memorial Organ

— Original photographs by Alice Parker
— Text by David J. Erwin, minister of music, 2003-2005
— Specifications prepared by James A. Konzelman, organ curator