Austin Organs, Inc.
Opus 2302, 1958
Good Samaritan Episcopal Church
212 W. Lancaster Avenue
Paoli, PA, US
29 Ranks - 1,819 Pipes
Instrument ID: 11908 ● Builder ID: 7360 ● Location ID: 10890
⬆️ These are database IDs that may change. Don't use as academic reference.EXPLORE IMAGESVIEW STOPLISTSomething not quite correct?Suggest an Edit
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IMAGES
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STOPLISTS
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CONSOLES
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Builder: Unknown
Position: Movable Console
Design: Unknown
Pedalboard Type: Concave Radiating (Meeting AGO Standards)
Features:
3 Manuals (61 Notes)32 Note Pedal4 Divisions25 Stops31 RegistersElectrical Key ActionElectrical Stop Action✓ CrescendoStop Layout: Drawknobs in Horizontal Rows on Terraced/Stepped Jambs
Expression Type: Balanced Expression Shoes/Pedals (Meeting AGO Standards)
Combination Action: Unknown
Control System: Unknown or N/A
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DETAILS
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This instrument is: Extant and Playable in this location
Database Manager on May 4th, 2017:
Updated by Art Stewart, who has heard or played the organ<br> Grew up in this Church as a participant in its choirs since early 1960s so my experience with this building and instrument runs deep. Have played this instrument several times in its original form, in the early 1980s, before the first additions to the original scheme in the mid-80s, which included multiple new ranks to fill an empty space high up in the reredos, above the two center enclosed chambers (Choir and Swell). These first additions included 32' stops among other ranks. My view is, that despite the spectacular renovations and enlargement to the fabric of the sanctuary, the acoustics have favored electronic instruments and the Church's contemporary music set up - which now shares priority with traditional music and the Austin/Walsh pipe organ. Large audio speakers were placed high above the chancel, in rafters that used to house the chancel lights, filling an otherwise open space that helped create resonance for the organ as it projected out from the center chambers behind the reredos. Plus, the builders put carpeting on the floor of the rear gallery where the new antiphonal division stands elevated up against the back stone wall. They killed the acoustics for the organ; used to have a great decay, now none. Dead. And it is not turned up enough (wind pressure). This is a large building with a vaulted ceiling and plenty of stone and wood - great properties. The organ is well-balanced however and sufficiently fills the room between front and back divisions, but it could be louder.
Updated by Art Stewart, who has heard or played the organ<br> Grew up in this Church as a participant in its choirs since early 1960s so my experience with this building and instrument runs deep. Have played this instrument several times in its original form, in the early 1980s, before the first additions to the original scheme in the mid-80s, which included multiple new ranks to fill an empty space high up in the reredos, above the two center enclosed chambers (Choir and Swell). These first additions included 32' stops among other ranks. My view is, that despite the spectacular renovations and enlargement to the fabric of the sanctuary, the acoustics have favored electronic instruments and the Church's contemporary music set up - which now shares priority with traditional music and the Austin/Walsh pipe organ. Large audio speakers were placed high above the chancel, in rafters that used to house the chancel lights, filling an otherwise open space that helped create resonance for the organ as it projected out from the center chambers behind the reredos. Plus, the builders put carpeting on the floor of the rear gallery where the new antiphonal division stands elevated up against the back stone wall. They killed the acoustics for the organ; used to have a great decay, now none. Dead. And it is not turned up enough (wind pressure). This is a large building with a vaulted ceiling and plenty of stone and wood - great properties. The organ is well-balanced however and sufficiently fills the room between front and back divisions, but it could be louder.
Database Manager on June 10th, 2009:
Updated through online information from Jeff Scofield. -- Many tonal alterations over the years; in 2007, the organ was rebuilt and enlarged (including an Antiphonal) by C. M. Walsh Pipe Organs; a new 4-manual French-styled terraced console was added at that time.
Database Manager on December 21st, 2004:
Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. web site, accessed December 20, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm.
Related Instrument Entries: C.M. Walsh Pipe Organ Builders (2007ca.)
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