Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Wm. A. Johnson (Opus 238, 1867)

Location:

First Presbyterian Church
Racine, WI US
Organ ID: 55844

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Presbyterian Churches
  • The organ has been rebuilt or substantially revised.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Jim Stettner on May 22, 2022.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Slider
  • 25 ranks. 3 divisions. 2 manuals.
Great:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a case at the front of the room.
  • Built by Wm. A. Johnson
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on January 07, 2023.

Swell (Expressive):
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a case at the front of the room.
  • Built by Wm. A. Johnson
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on January 07, 2023.

Pedal:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a case at the front of the room.
  • Built by Wm. A. Johnson
We received the most recent update for this division from Jim Stettner on January 07, 2023.
Main:
  • Built by Wm. A. Johnson
  • Manuals: 2
  • Divisions: 3
  • Position: Keydesk attached, manuals set into case.
  • Key Action: Mechanical connection from key to chest (tracker, sticker or mix).
  • Stop Action: Mechanical connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with hinged doors that enclose keyboards.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on flat jambs.
  • Pedalboard Type: Flat straight pedalboard.
We received the most recent update for this console from Jim Stettner on January 07, 2023.
Jim Stettner on January 06, 2023:

According to text from the book cited below, the organ was moved from the rear gallery to the front in 1886. It was electrified in 1938 by an undocumented person or firm and enlarged to 3-manuals retaining 14 original Johnson ranks. Subsequent rebuilds in 1988 and 2009.

We received the most recent update for this note from Jim Stettner on January 06, 2023.
Database Manager on August 03, 2015:

An original installation. 25 registers. Identified by John Igoe, using information found in Johnson Organs, 1844-1898: Wm. A Johnson, Johnson Organ Co., Johnson & Son: a documentary issued in honor the two hundredth anniversary of his birth, 1816-2016 / by Scot L. Huntington, Len Levasseur, Barbara Owen, Stephen L. Pinel, and Martin R. Walsh. Cranbury, New Jersey: The Princeton Academy of the Arts, Culture, and Society, 2015.

We received the most recent update for this note from Jim Stettner on January 07, 2023.

Instrument Images:

Organ after being moved to the front in 1886: Photograph from an archival source: Church website, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken approx. ca. 1890's

Organ in front [cropped]: Photograph from an archival source: Church website, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken approx. ca. 1890's

Organist at the keydesk: Photograph from an archival source: Church archives, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken approx. ca. 1890's

Church exterior: Photograph from an archival source: Church website, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken approx. ca. 1890's