Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Wicks Pipe Organ Co. (Opus 4720, 1967)

Location:

First Baptist Church
551 North Westwood Blvd.
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 US
Organ ID: 10937

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Baptist Churches
  • The organ is unaltered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Jeff Scofield on July 24, 2021.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Wicks Direct Electric
  • 33 ranks. 3 manuals.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Wicks Direct Electric chests
  • Position: In side chambers at the front of the room. No visible pipes.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on February 10, 2019.
Main:
  • Manuals: 3
  • Position: Console in fixed position, right.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on angled jambs.
  • Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on February 10, 2019.
Database Manager on February 11, 2019:

Updated by Ray Smithee, who has heard or played the organ.

This organ was designed by Ray Ferguson, Professor of Organ at Wayne State University, and a well-known concert artist in the 60s. Ray grew up in Poplar Bluff and attended First Baptist Church. His piano teacher, Lillian Carnochan was the pianist at First Baptist. When it was time for the new organ to be designed for the new sanctuary, the organist, and giver of the instrument, Ora Fern Fitch, called on Ray to design the stop list. It\'s interesting in that for 33 ranks spread over four divisions there are so few extensions or borrowings.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on February 11, 2019.
Database Manager on September 05, 2005:

On-line update from Ray Smithee -- Extremely low windpressures were used in this instrument. I believe 2.5 inches.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on October 30, 2004:

Status Note: There 2003.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on October 30, 2004:

"STLAGO lists 1967, possibly dedication year."

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist from console. Organist 1980-1983
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

Church Exterior: Photographer unknown, courtesy of Ray Smithee (2010's).

Church exterior: Photograph by Church Facebook, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2017-04-20

Church interior: Photograph by Church Facebook, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2016-04-07