M. P. Möller
Opus R-666, 1961

Updated through online information from Dave Norment. -- My Grandfather, The Rev. William M. Norment,D.D. was the pastor of this church for 38 years, retiring in October of 1956. Because of my family's connection with this church, I have some useful information to pass along regarding this magnificent organ. The source of this information comes from family and historic literature generated by First Christian church.

In late 1935, while located at 146 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown, the decision was made to purchase a relatively new but repossessed organ from the M.P. Moller company. This was Opus 6372. Its previous location was at a synagogue in the Bronx, NY. The total cost was $3,875. The original organ was three manual, 20 stop, with 1,390 speaking pipes.
When a much larger, new building was constructed and completed in 1961, the organ was disassembled and moved to the new location, where it would serve as the nucleus for an expanded and modified instrument. Some older pipes were replaced and other new ranks were installed. The modified organ retained the original console and now totaled 1,598 pipes. Cost of the move and renovation was $18,650. Leon Cross and Richard Nigh, M.P. Moller employees at the time spearheaded the project.
In February of 1970, the original console was replaced with a new model at a cost of $12,470.
In October of 1996, work was completed on the installation of a Antiphonal Organ, located in the balcony, on the rear gallery wall. The pipework is exposed. The Transept Great chest, casework and two of the sets of pipes came from Trinity Lutheran Church, Hagerstown. The Principal and Mixture ranks were made by Eastern Organ Pipes, Hagerstown. Also in 1996, an electronic 16' Gedeckt pedal and a electronic 32' Bourdon were added. The console was also sent out to Hagerstown Organ Company and converted to solid state. A Trompette en Chamade rank was added and it sits on top of the Great/Choir Division.
In 1999, a electronic 32' Contra Fagott stop was added.
In 2000, an 8' Flute Celeste stop was added, as was a solid state control to increase combination memories from eight to 32.
In 2002, all pneumatic relays were replaced with solid state circuitry.
In 2003, an electronic 16' Violone stop was added to the pedal organ.
In February 2005, the original chimes and harp were removed for an overhaul. Due to its condition, they were replaced with a digital chimes/harp/celesta unit.

This is a very nice, well maintained example of a piece of M.P. Moller history, which was hand built here in Hagerstown. This is also a very proud and magnificent organ that has experienced the likes of Felix Hell and Diane Bish at the console.

Updated through online information from Jeff Scofield. -- According to the church website, a new Moller console was installed in 1970; pipes, new and old, have been added to the organ over the years; the console was updated by the Hagerstown Organ Co. in 1996; the organ currently has 38 ranks.

Altered and relocated existing organ.
Identified by Jeff Scofield, using information found in Factory specifications.
-- The contract was for the rebuild, enlargement and re-engineering of 1935 Moller Op. 6372 for the new sanctuary.