Church organs

 PIECES OF CHURCH HISTORY

 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH – PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.

 BY PHYLLIS L. WELLS, ASSISTANT CHURCH HISTORIAN

 

           First Presbyterian Church is the oldest congregation in Plattsburgh, and the oldest congregation in Clinton County still in existence.  It has a long and interesting history.         

           Many of these entries will be from writing I have done for Pulse, the church newsletter.  Some were written by Edward A. McShane, the former church historian, and a few by other people. 

           Music has always played an important part in the life of our church, and we have a good reputation in the community for its quality.  There follows a section from a longer history, which will continue with future entries.

CHURCH  ORGANS

            The original church was built from 1812 to 1816.  Little is known about the first organ, but it was sketched by a visitor in 1847.  In 1865 the building received extensive renovations.  The pulpit was moved to the north end of the building.  Behind it was a choir gallery, and an arched recess awaiting a new organ which had been contracted for.  After the fire of August 21, 1867, the order was cancelled with a $300 penalty. 

            The first organ was installed in the present building (second for the church) in May 1873 by the Johnson Organ Company of Westfield, Massachusetts.  It was a two-manual, tracker organ, the gift of Samuel Flint Vilas.

            The Republican (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) for September 8, 1877 reported that on Sun-day morning when the organist began to play a hymn, screeching noises were heard from the organ.  At the end of the hymn, investigation was made, and a cat was discovered in a compartment behind the organ.  It had probably been trapped after someone completed some work on the organ the day before.

            In 1909 a third organ, built by the Estey Organ Company of Brattleboro, Vermont, was installed, largely through the efforts of Silas D. Barber, organist and choirmaster. An inaugural organ concert was given on November 12, 1909. with J. Warren Andrews, organist, and Grace Bullock, soprano.

            The organ was extensively rebuilt and electrified in 1938 by the Estey Organ Company for $2400.00.  It was rededicated on September 25, 1938, with the three choirs participating in the service.  A gift set of carillon chimes was added to the organ in 1946-1947.

            In preparation for the 150^th anniversary of the church in 1947, extensive renovations were made to our present building.  The church kitchen was removed from its location under the organ, and removed to a larger basement room.

            The church’s fourth and present organ was installed during the summer of 1975 and used for the first time on September 7, 1975.  It is a two-manual tracker organ (mechanical action), built in the classic tradition, by Karl Wilhelm of St. Hilaire, Quebec.  A recital was given on October 6, 1975, by Dr. John A. Davis Jr., organist and choir master at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.  Marian Fee was the guest conductor of a Bicentennial choir composed of representatives from the churches of Clinton County.