Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Howard Best (Howard M. Best III) (1980s)

Originally Schantz Organ Co. (Opus 501, 1962)

Location:

Canterbury United Methodist Church
350 Overbrook Rd.
Mountain Brook (Birmingham), AL 35213 US
Organ ID: 26126

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Methodist 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 Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Electro-pneumatic (EP)
  • 61 ranks. 3,578 pipes. 6 divisions. 4 manuals. 44 stops. 65 registers.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Electro-pneumatic (EP) 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 May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 6
  • Stops: 44
  • Registers: 65
  • 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: Computerized/Digital system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
  • 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 Jeff Scofield on January 14, 2022.
Database Manager on May 27, 2007:

Identified through online information from James R. Stettner. -- At the time I saw the organ in September 1987, then organist (Dr. James Dorroh) indicated that additions/enlargement had already taken place at the hands of Howard P. Best, III of Montevallo, Alabama. The size of the instrument indicated above is the size at that time. Console rebuilt by Colby, 1980s

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Copied from the console January 10, 2022: Open In New Tab
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Richard Byrd on October 29, 2022.

Instrument Images:

Church interior from floor: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2022-01-10

Church interior from balcony: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2022-01-10

Console and interior to rear: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2022-01-10

Console: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2022-01-10

Left stopjamb: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2022-01-10

Right stopjamb: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2022-01-10

Console center: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2022-01-10

Church interior to rear: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2022-01-10

Church exterior: Photograph by villagelivingonline.com.