Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Unknown Builder (1934)

Originally A. B. Felgemaker Co. (1887)

Location:

St James Chapel (Methodist) / Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
68 Spring St.
Charleston, SC 29403 US
Organ ID: 57119

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Museums
  • The organ has an unknown or unreported status.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on July 05, 2019.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Slider
  • 12 ranks. 3 divisions. 2 manuals. 12 registers.
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 July 05, 2019.
Main:
  • Manuals: 2
  • Divisions: 3
  • Registers: 12
  • Key Action: Mechanical connection from key to chest (tracker, sticker or mix).
  • Stop Action: Mechanical connection between stop control and chest.
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on July 05, 2019.
Database Manager on July 05, 2019:

Subsequent research has revealed that this was also known as Spring Street Methodist. The organ was a gift from Bethel Methodst of Charleston when they got their new Austin in 1934,

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on July 06, 2019.
Database Manager on September 19, 2016:

An original installation. Identified by James R. Stettner, using information from this web site: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/sc0417.photos.146790p/.
The chapel was built in 1856 by a group of Methodist dissenters. It was called St. James Chapel. It evidently remained a church until Hurricane Hugo passed through Charleston on the night of September 21, 1989, leaving the building severely damaged. The roof was torn off and the interior was destroyed.

After a major renovation, the building was again opened on November 11, 1990. The St. James United Methodist congregation merged with Asbury United Methodist at Asbury's building, and the church became the Karpeles manuscript library museum. The organ case (at least) remains in its original position in the rear gallery. Status is not yet known.

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

Instrument Images:

Church exterior: Historic American Buildings Survey HABS SC-374 (after 1933): Library of Congress Photo; public domain.

Sanctuary interior ith organ in rear gallery: Historic American Buildings Survey HABS SC-374 (after 1933): Library of Congress Photo; public domain.

Organ case in rear gallery: Historic American Buildings Survey HABS SC-374 (after 1933): Library of Congress Photo; public domain.

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