Paul R. Marchesano on September 17th, 2025:
When the organ was listed for sale from St. Catherine of Siena Church, the materials identified the original location and builder as well as the fact that Woodberry & Harris salvaged the organ and installed it in this church in 1895: "In August of 1868 the Universalist Church in Boston Highlands (Roxbury) signed a contract with Baumgarten for a substantial organ costing $5,500, to be installed in a recess at the front of the sanctuary, and it was dedicated in February of 1869. In January of 1894 the church was severely damaged by fire, but, perhaps because of its location in a recess, the organ was salvaged by the Woodberry & Harris firm, and with slight modifications, including new casework and a rebuilt console, as well as a standard double-rise bellows, it was installed by them in St. Catherine's Church in Charlestown, Mass. in February of 1895. As far as can be determined, with the exception of the modifications mentioned above, the interior of the organ appears to be entirely original, including the pipework, ventil chests, stop actions, n1echanical action and couplers, and Barker machine (Great only), all indicating excellent workmanship. Although now virtually unplayable, what can still be heard of various stops indicates a unique and colorful tonal quality that is somewhat distinct from that of much American work of the 1860s. Examination of the interior shows this organ to be quite intact in all its parts, and thus eminently restorable. As the only known surviving Baumgarten organ, it is not only of significant historical interest, but also a fine musical instrument worthy of restoration and a new life in another church, as St. Catherine's has been closed."

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Christian Tedesco on September 15th, 2025:
Originally for Roxbury Universalist church in Roxbury, moved here in 1895 by Woodberry & Harris, who replaced the box bellows "Kastenbalge" with a traditional double rise regulator. The manuals are very close together, even moreso than on a modern organ. Unplayable as early as 1979, offered for sale with a deadline of April 2010, unknown to me if it found a new home.

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Database Manager on May 13th, 2013:
Updated through online information from David F. McCaffrey. -- I used to play this organ in the 1960s and 1970s. My first organ teacher studied on this organ and was the organist there in the 1920s and 1930s.

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Database Manager on May 6th, 2013:
Updated through online information from David F. McCaffrey.

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Database Manager on November 2nd, 2011:
Updated through online information from Christopher W. Powell. -- This instrument was saved shortly before demolition of the St. Catherine Church. It is being rebuilt and relocated by the A. David Moore company in Vermont with respect for the integrity of the original voicing and tonality of the instrument, but with new chests. To be installed in 2014 at St. Paul Catholic Church in Pensacola, Florida, the instrument will be located in the tribune (rear gallery) and will hopefully be enlarged with a Trompette 8' on the Swell, an expanded pedalboard with additional foundation stops, and a 32' register. The instrument will have Barker-assisted mechanical action. The previous cone-chests will be replaced by a more up-to-date, reliable system.

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Database Manager on November 18th, 2009:
Updated through online information from Lee Eiseman. -- This instrument is for sale and must be removed by April 20, 2010. Please contact Lee Eiseman at nolisome@verizon.net or 617-7848.

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Database Manager on November 15th, 2009:
Updated through online information from Lee Eiseman.

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Database Manager on June 4th, 2008:
Updated through online information from Leonardo Ciampa. -- After leaving Walcker and serving as head voicer for Hook & Hastings, Baumgarten then worked for Hutchings. He was actually working for Hutchings when this organ was moved; thus, he himself was involved in the work! He then died only a few years later. Because of Baumgarten's exceptional skill as a voicer, and the fact that this is the only Baumgarten left intact, in existence, it is fair to say that this is an organ of unusual and extraordinary historic value. The organ is still partially playable.

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Database Manager on February 23rd, 2008:
Updated through online information from Leonardo Ciampa. -- Church building is now closed and the organ will be listed through the Organ Clearing House. Final Mass was said there 10 Feb. 2008. Parish merged with St. Mary's in Charlestown. Organ is historically significant. It is the only known surviving Baumgarten. (He was a Walcker employee who helped install the Walcker of subsequent Methuen fame.) Baumgarten built several organs in the late 1860s with Walcker-type cone-valve chests, but they didn't fair well in New England weather. Most of them eventually got replaced or extensively rebuilt. The St. Catherine's Baumgarten was originally built for a Universalist Church in Roxbury, and moved to St. Catherine's c. 1890 by Hutchings, who made some mechanical alterations but, as far as we know, no significant tonal ones. The original Barker machine was maintained. The organ has been only barely playable for 40-50 years.

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Database Manager on September 1st, 2007:
Updated through online information from Barbara Owen. -- Formerly in Universalist Church, Roxbury. Rebuilt in 1890s by Hutchings. Extant, but unplayable for many years. Church under threat.

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Database Manager on October 30th, 2004:
Status Note: There 1993.

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Database Manager on October 30th, 2004:
Barker lever & cone valve chests.