Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Hook-Hastings Co. (Opus 1959, 1902)

Originally E. & G. G. Hook (Opus 322, 1863)
Exhibited in the 1961, 2000 OHS convention(s)

Location:

Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church / Jesuit Urban Center
771 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118 US
Organ ID: 5670

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Roman Catholic Churches
  • The organ has been removed from this location and currently in storage.
  • The organ's condition is not playable.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Paul R. Marchesano on November 21, 2022.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Slider
  • 75 ranks. 4,284 pipes. 4 manuals. 59 stops.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
  • Position: In a gallery-level case at the rear of the room.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on February 11, 2020.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Stops: 59
  • Position: Console in fixed position, center.
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Tubular-pneumatic connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in horizontal rows on terraced/stepped jambs.
  • Combination Action: Setterboard (remote or in console).
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on February 11, 2020.
Scot Huntington on April 27, 2023:

As of Spring 2021, Boston College no longer had a new concert hall in their long-range plans, and therefore no longer a need for the organ. Thus began a search to find the organ a new home. As of Spring 2023, constructive talks are reportedly taking place to establish a new home and future for the organ. Investigation of the stored instrument revealed that all of the 1902 equipment except the console and Solo divisions was discarded. This is a significant and unrepairable loss of historic material that would have been a vital component of any historic restoration of this remarkable organ. Rampant rumors at the time of the organ's removal that the monumental case was left behind have been proven false, with the entirety of the original case found intact in the storage facility.

We received the most recent update for this note from Scot Huntington on April 27, 2023.
Database Manager on May 07, 2018:

Church closed in June 2007. Organ became property of Boston College with removal scheduled for Fall 2008.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on February 11, 2020.
Database Manager on September 14, 2008:

Updated through information posted by OHS Member's List by Scot Huntington: -- Removal of the main organ has been underway for several weeks and may still be ongoing. Stefan Maier, an organbuilder from Orange, MA is doing the work and placing it into storage for Boston College. The project is being done quietly. The present plan is for the organ to one day be installed in a new building, yet to be erected on the BC campus for concert purposes.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on November 04, 2005:

Updated through online information from Sean O'Donnell. -- Instrument is mostly un-altered from 1902 rebuild, in poor but playable condition, and is still played regularly.

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 1990

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

Rebuild of 1863 E. & G. G. Hook Op. 322, (3-55).

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Examination of organ : Open In New Tab Originally published 2000
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Scot Huntington on March 30, 2022.

Instrument Images:

Gallery and Organ Case: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 1999-05-04

Nave, Gallery, and Organ Case: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 1999-05-04

Console: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 1999-05-04

Builder's Nameplate: Photograph by William T. Van Pelt. Taken on 1999-05-04

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