Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Henry Erben (1850ca.)

Exhibited in the 1992 OHS convention(s)

Location:

Bates College
275 College Street
Lewiston, ME 04240 US
Peter J. Gomes Chapel
Organ ID: 757

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Colleges and Universities
  • 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 Paul R. Marchesano on September 09, 2022.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Slider
  • 3 ranks. 151 pipes. 1 manuals. 4 stops.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Slider chests
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 1
  • Stops: 4
  • 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 May 13, 2018.
Paul R. Marchesano on September 09, 2022:

From the 1992 OHS Handbook: The Henry Erben organ was for many years In the Advent Christian Church in Biddeford, Maine. Its original provenance is unknown. After being owned briefly by Brian Franck of Auburn, and by the Beehive, in Alfred, Maine, the instrument was purchased by Bates College in 1977 through the Organ Clearing House, and restored by the Andover Organ Co. under the direction of Robert Newton.

The organ has undergone some mechanical changes since it was first built. Dudley Jardine signed the interior of the windchest in 1861, and it seems likely that it was the Jardine firm which added the pedal keyboard at that time. The manual keyboard originally folded up into the case, but Is now fixed in place, to allow permanent coupling lo the pedal keyboard. Horizontal shutters, now removed, were controlled by a hitch-down swell pedal.

The date 1850 and the names of Erben workmen D. A Carnes and J. E. Ayres are inscribed on the pipework, the latter on MC of the St. Diapason Treble 8', a common metal Chimney Flute, and the former on TF of the common metal Dulciana 8' (along with the name "Barney's"). Low C of the common metal Principal 4' Is inscribed "D . Kelly N . York. / Dec 5 1850 / 3rd scale / #2".

We received the most recent update for this note from Paul R. Marchesano on September 09, 2022.
Database Manager on October 30, 2004:

Status Note: There 1992

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

OCH. From Advent Christian, Biddeford, ME c. 1978. Altered Jardine1861. 15 note pedal permanently coupled (no pipes). Restored Andover 1978, 1-3. Manual originally folded up.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
1992 OHS Handbook: Open In New Tab
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Paul R. Marchesano on September 09, 2022.

Instrument Images:

Organ freestanding in the front corner of the chapel: Photograph from an archival source: 1992 OHS Handbook, William T. Van Pelt, submitted by Paul R. Marchesano. Taken approx. 1991

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