Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Bruce Schultz and Associates (2004)

Originally C. S. Haskell [Haskell Pipe Organ Manufacturing Co.] (1911)

Location:

St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church
4625 Springfield Avenue
Philadelphia: West Philadelphia, PA 19143 US
Organ ID: 47209

Update This Entry

Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Roman Catholic Churches
  • The organ is unaltered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition needs attention, but in usable condition.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Paul R. Marchesano on December 07, 2021.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Slider with pneumatic pull-downs (externally, EP or TP)
  • 85 ranks. 4,947 pipes. 6 divisions. 4 manuals.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider with pneumatic pull-downs (externally, EP or TP) chests
  • Position: Exposed pipes or case front visible in a gallery at the rear of the room.
  • Slider Motors: Pneumatic (EP or TP) slider motors.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 6
  • Position: Console in fixed position, left.
  • 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 without cover.
  • Stop Controls: Tilting/rocking tablets 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 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
  • Has a Piston Sequencer
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Paul R. Marchesano on December 07, 2021:

The size of this instrument, both in ranks and pipe counts, have been greatly overstated in publicity and in comments and notes on this database, particularly the claims made in the note from 2010. It is not the largest church organ in Philadelphia and has a little less than 5000 pipes, certainly not more than 6000! The 1911 Haskell organ was 44 ranks.

We received the most recent update for this note from Paul R. Marchesano on December 07, 2021.
Database Manager on July 18, 2015:

Updated through online information from Doug Backman.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on September 03, 2013:

Updated through online information from Fred Riley. -- Jane Parker-Smith made a recording in 1980 on this organ. Angel DS 37748 (EMI) Bruce Shultz is listed on church website as music director

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on September 01, 2010:

Identified through online information from James Hale. -- The church is home to one of the largest pipe organs in the Delaware Valley, a four-manual, 6,000-plus pipe organ used by Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra for their 1980 recording of Camille Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony No. 3. It is one of the best examples of French organ in the United States. It is the largest church organ in the region. I believe originally by Haskell but greatly expanded by Bruce Schultz.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on February 11, 2019.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist taken from the console August 20, 2012
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

Gallery and Pipe Facade: Photograph by Dan Papa. Taken on 2015-06-12

Pipe Organs in the Philadelphia area sponsored by: