Jeff Scofield on April 13th, 2021:
From the NYC AGO NYC Organ Project: The new and present neo-Romanesque church, designed by Harding & Gooch in 1900, was dedicated by Archbishop Farley. Since it is built upon a hill, the church can be seen from quite a distance. Many sailors have used St. Peter's bell tower as a reference point when at sea. The crockets point towards heavens, each having a Celtic cross as their finial.
The impressive four-manual and pedal organ in St. Peter's Church was built in 1925 by the M.P. Möller company at a cost of $18,400. Included in the contract, dated May 20, 1925, is the proviso that Möller "agrees to dismantle present old organ in above church and erect it in the basement of said church free of charge." The Möller organ is installed in three areas of the church: in the west gallery are the Great, Choir, Swell, Solo and blower; in an arched gallery on the south wall of the nave is the Antiphonal Great, and the four-manual drawknob console; and in an arched gallery on the north wall of the nave is the Antiphonal Swell. Sadly, this magnificent organ has been unplayable since the 1960s, but it is hoped that the extant organ can someday be restored.
Mr. Robert V. Scara, who studied with Leo J. Bartinique (organist/choir director at St. Peter's from the 1930s-1950s), reports that in the 1950s the organ had a selection of theater organ stops, including a Grand Piano, harp, and drums, and several others. The added resources were located in the Antiphonal Swell chamber, and were activated by drawknobs in the right stop jamb and tabs above the manuals. The stops were not extant in the 1970s, and no further information is available.
Database Manager on December 13th, 2015:
Updated through online information from Larry Kazsloka. <br>Replaced with Allen electronic.
Database Manager on April 30th, 2012:
Updated through online information from Jeff Scofield.
Database Manager on November 27th, 2010:
Updated through online information from Connor Annable.
Database Manager on February 7th, 2009:
Updated through online information from Jeff Scofield.
Database Manager on November 8th, 2006:
Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- Gt., Sw., Ch., So., Ped., Ant. Gt., Ant. Gt. Ped., Ant. Sw., Ant. Sw. Ped. The Great, Swell, Choir, Solo, and Pedal are behind a massive façade that spans the full width of the west (rear) gallery. The Antiphonal Great & Ant. Gt. Pedal. are in a gallery under an arch on the south (right) side of the church. The Antiphonal Swell & Ant. Sw. Pedal are in a gallery under an arch on the north (left) side of the church. The organ has been unplayable since the 1960s.