Henry Pilcher's Sons
Opus 640, 1909

Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis, DDS. -- According to An American Cathedral, A Centennial History of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1906-2006, by John E. Fellers: "Another outstanding feature of the new (McGowen and Milam Streets) building was the Pilcher pipe organ, which when installed was billed as 'one of the largest in the South.' The instrument had 2,500 pipes which ranged in size from two to sixteen feet. Some of the tonal work for the instrument was based on the resonance of the Chicago World's Fair organ built by Pilcher a few years earlier. In fact, the St. Paul's organ incorporated some features that improved upon the Chicago design."

Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis, DDS.

Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis, DDS.

Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis, DDS. -- The text on the Official Texas Historical Subject Marker for St. Paul's United Methodist Church states: "At the beginning of the 20th century, members of Houston-s Methodist community worked toward organizing a new congregation on what was then the burgeoning south end of town. In December 1905, individuals met at the J.O. Ross family home and held Christmas Eve services at the city auditorium. The congregation officially organized on January 14, 1906 with 153 charter members. Bishop Joseph Key preached the first sermon and suggested the congregation adopt St. Paul-s as its name. The Ross family gave lots at the corner of Milam and McGowen streets for a new building. Designed by R.D. Steele and consecrated in January 1909. The structure reflected a Grecian design with a dome reminiscent of Byzantine architecture. The church grew along with the city of Houston, and in the late 1920s, members launched a campaign to raise money for new facilities. Jesse H. Jones, Walter Fondren and J.M. West, Sr. each contributed $150,000, and the church hired noted architect Alfred C. Finn to design a new building at the corner of Main and Binz streets. The Neo-Gothic styling features a cruciform plan on a steel-frame structure with limestone cladding. Stained glass windows from the structure, and the impressive tower houses bells also brought from the church-s original sanctuary. St. Paul-s church members support an array of outreach, worship, education, mission, music and caring services to the community. At the turn of the 21st century, the church is a spiritual and social community center, as well as a long-standing Houston institution. (2006)"

Updated through online information from T. Bradford Willis, DDS.

Original price: $9075; Crossed out in William Pilcher's list, where a note reads: Kilgen

Identified through information in Vol IV p. 22 of the Pilcher factory ledgers and a list of Pilcher organs typed by William E. Pilcher of Louisville. For more information see the document referenced below.