The Church Organ
Did you know?...Our church has had four organs during its 158-year history!
The first organ (1864):
A controversial cabinet organ was purchased during the Civil War to beatify the second church built on this site in 1854. Many members felt that the sound of an organ denigrated Methodism. The vote had been 11 out of 17, with the leaders in favor of purchasing the new organ. On a Saturday night, the dissenters secretly removed the new organ and placed it on Thorn Street where it was found on Sunday morning.
The second organ (1884):
A pipe-amplified reed organ, purchased for the current church, was dedicated in 1884.
The third organ (1909):
A pipe organ was purchased from Moller Organ Company for $4,000. Andrew Carnegie himself paid $2,000, one half of the purchase price.
The fourth organ (1966):
A new Teller pipe organ was installed that enhanced and utilized all the pipes of the Moller. The original "Carnegie" pipes are still playing today.
Although the Teller was completely new mechanically, the entire pipe work and organ blower from the original were used. Six additional banks of pipes were added in 1966 to modernize and expand the tonal ensemble. The organ uses 1,792 pipes and is the best in the Quaker Valley.
The case of the organ remains unchanged except for a new console installed to the front of the choir loft below the level of the pulpit. The internal pipe work was rearranged in 1966 on one level so as to equalize the tone and pitch of the organ.
Since 1864, there have been about 30 organists serve our church. Our current full-time Organist/Music Director is the talented Sharron Schaefer who has been in charge since 1986.
sewickleyumc.org