Paul R. Marchesano on November 22nd, 2024:
The original Pilcher organ does not exist. In 1990, I helped removed it from its 2nd home. This modest two manual Pilcher organ may be the only by that maker to have been installed in Maryland. In 1926 the congregation built a new church building and large Sunday School building at 8750 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD. Up to that time they had been using a small 1870s frame church building, which was rolled up to this location in the 1890s. It seems that the 1926 Pilcher organ was new to the new [1926] building, though no information appears in local news papers. In 1959 the church contracted with Moller for a new 3 manual organ. Most likely the Pilcher was removed during the installation of the Moller and found its way into a small Methodist church [ed.: Colesville United Methodist] at 3200 Randolph Rd.
In 1990, this writer was working for an organ repair firm in the Washington DC area who were hired to remove the organ from the Randolph Road Church. It was this 1926 Pilcher. Two manuals and about 5 ranks, no reed, possibly installed by the Newcomer Organ Co. of Washington DC, who were the local Moller installers. It is possible that the Newcomer firm only used some, or a portion of, the Pilcher, as they assembled many organs in the DC area from parts of organs they had removed when installing new Moller organs. It was their custom to remove the original chest action and replace it with all electric note valves. My recollection is that the console was the original Pilcher, but that the rest of the organ was only a portion of a more complete instrument. It would make sense since this Randolph Road church is small and the alcove, which was crudely made to house the organ, was very small. Due to its incomplete and decayed condition the instrument was broken up for parts. In the mid 1960s the Woodside congregation sold their property and build a much larger complex two blocks north of the 1926 site. Their nearly new Moller was moved to the new building where it continues to be used. Some data from Evening Star paper, Sept 18, 1960 pg 86 & Oct. 2, 1962 pg 23.
Information received online from Steve Bartley on 2024-11-22
Database Manager on April 7th, 2005:
Identified through information in Volume VI p. 259 of the Pilcher factory ledger and the list of Pilcher organs typed by William E. Pilcher of Louisville. For more information see the document referenced below.
Database Manager on April 7th, 2005:
Original price: $3000