The Organs of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Organs of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church

Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church occupies a unique position in the history of organ building.

The will of Barbara Schmidt, dated January 7, 1795, bequeathed…”that part of the money arising from the sale of my Estate be applied as follows: part thereof towards purchasing an organ for said Congregation….” Sometime between the death of Barbara Schmidt in 1798 and 1803, Christ Church commissioned David Tannenberg, famous American organ builder of Lititz , PA , to build the organ specified in the York widow’s Will. In the spring of 1804, the completed instrument was brought to York where Tannenberg and his assistant worked five weeks to install it. This was Tannenberg’s 35^th organ…and his last…for the famed organ builder did not live to see it completed. While tuning the organ, which was installed on the rear gallery, David Tannenberg suffered a stroke, fell from the scaffolding, and died three days later on May 19, 1804. The instrument was first played at his funeral services and Tannenberg was buried in York .

Moved several times to different parts of the church as the congregation and the church itself grew, the Tannenberg organ was kept in playing condition until 1945 when it was given to The York Heritage Trust. The organ was restored and erected at the York Heritage Trust’s headquarters on East Market Street , where it may be seen and heard today.

(Also see www.davidtannenberg.com)

In 1880, the congregation contracted for the installation of an organ to be built by Derrick Felgemacher of Erie , Pennsylvania . This instrument was installed in chambers divided to right and to the left of the chancel of the church, and served until 1926 when the Möller Company rebuilt and refurbished it with the inclusion of new wind chests and a new console.

In the fall of 1968, a number of organ companies made surveys and recommendations regarding the possibility of a new instrument for Christ Church . At this time, the Möller Company recommended an entirely new instrument to be placed in the gallery as being the liturgically and historically correct position for the choir and organ. Such placement of the organ also guarantees ideal projection for music.

During the spring and summer of 1969, a specification was determined, along with a physical design. The entire instrument was to be encased to insure a cohesive ensemble sound; a special encased division (called a “Rückpositiv”) was to be placed on the gallery rail which would provide special support for the congregation located below. The design of the Rückpositiv was to be inspired by the case of the Tannenberg organ originally installed on the gallery at Christ Church 150 years earlier.

The organ reflects a renaissance in American organ building. It follows the “Werkprinzipal” specification design in that the principal pitches are placed on the 16’ level in the pedal; the 8’ level in the Great; the 4’ level in the Rückpositiv; and the 2’ level in the Swell, allowing the tiered effect and clarity of line so necessary for polyphonic music. The organ is totally unenclosed with the exception of the expressive Swell which is fitted with shades that open a full ninety degrees allowing for maximum egress of sound. This is the first instrument in central Pennsylvania to adhere to these strict principles of organ building first expressed following the Reformation in North Germany . The organ was dedicated in 1971.

The Möller Company was committed to the crafting of a useful, beautiful adornment for Christ Church – an instrument which would provide enrichment to the musical life of York and central Pennsylvania as well. We trust that the result of these labors will long enhance the worship life of Christ Church and inspire all who experience it in both sight and sound.

The organ may be heard in many recitals and in the nearly two-hundred worship services each year.

The Harpsichord make is: Hannover Yamaha C2, 5’8”

SPECIFICATIONS: MŐLLER ORGAN

Opus 10681

GREAT ORGAN RŰCKPOSITIV

UNENCLOSED UNENCLOSED

Prinzipal 8’ 61 Pipes Holzgedackt 8’ 61 Pipes

Bordun 8’ 61 Pipes Prinzipal 4’ 61 Pipes

Oktave 4’ 61 Pipes Blockflöte 2’ 61 Pipes

Weitprinzipal 2’ 61 Pipes Quinte 1 – 1/3’ 61 Pipes

Mixtur (1-1/3’) IV Ranks 244 Pipes Zimbel (1/2’) III Ranks 183 Pipes

Trompete 8’ 61 Pipes Krummhorn 8’ 61 Pipes

Tremulant

SWELL ORGAN PEDAL ORGAN

EXPRESSIVE

Rohrbordun 16’ 12 Pipes Prinzipal 16’ 32 Pipes

Rohrflöte 8’ 61 Pipes Rohrbordun 16’ 12 Pipes

Gemshorn 8’ 61 Pipes Oktav 8’ 32 Pipes

Gemshorn Celeste (T.C.) 8’ 49 Pipes Rohrflöte (Sw) 8’ 12 Pipes

Spitzflöte 4’ 61 Pipes Choralbass 4’ 32 Pipes

Prinzipal 2’ 61 Pipes Rauschquinte (2 – 2/3’) II Ranks 64 Pipes

Sesquialtera (2 – 2/3’) II Ranks 98 Pipes Aculta (1 – 1/3’) II Ranks 24 Pipes

Scharf (1’) III Ranks 183 Pipes Posaune 16’ 32 Pipes

Trompette 8’ 61 Pipes Krummhorn (Pos.) 4’

Schalmei 4’ 61 Pipes

Tremulant

ACCESSORIES COUPLERS

Pistons No. 1-6 affecting Great Great to Pedal

Pistons No. 1-6 affecting Swell Swell to Pedal

Pistons No. 1-6 affecting Positiv Positiv to Pedal

Pistons No. 1-12 affecting full organ (duplicated by toe studs) Swell to Great 16’

Toe Studs No. 1-2-3-4 affecting Pedal Swell to Great 8’

General Cancel Positiv to Great

Sforzanado (duplicated by toe stud) Swell to Positiv

Balanced Crescendo Pedal Swell to Swell 16’

Zymbelstern Unison off (Sw.)

99 levels of memory Swell to Swell 4’