The Organs in First Presbyterian Church ~ Glens Falls, New York
The large and magnificent pipe organ in First Presbyterian Church is actually two separate instruments, designed and built by two different builders in contrasting styles, representingtwo important periods in North American organbuilding history.
The Chancel Organ dates initially from 1991 and was designed and built by the Reuter Organ Company of Lawrence, Kansas and was completed in 2004 with the addition of the Solo division built by Reuter. Containing four manuals and pedal with 70 ranks and more than 4,000pipes in five divisions, including five digital voices (Walker Technical Company; Zionsville, Pennsylvania), this grand instrument in the “American-Classic” styleeffectively leads strong congregational singing, renders anthem accompaniment, and enables service playing and the great organ repertoire with
ease and familiarity.
The Swell is enclosed and is located in the left chamber of the organ screen at mid-level, with the enclosed Choir on the right. The Great and part of the Pedal are exposed on top of the organ screen, around the West Rose window, providing a visual feast of pipework display. The large Pedal stops, including the full-length 32-foot Contra Trombone of solid copper, are located in the side “towers” commencing at floor level. The enclosed Solo divisionspeaks from a triforium-level chamber above the north choir stalls allowingsubtle dynamicexpressiveness of its soft, orchestral timbres (French Horn, English Horn, Viole d’Orchestre) and full-toned,yet powerful stops (Bombarde, Tuba).
The central-axis placement of all divisions is excellent and affords an egress of tone unmatched by most American churches. The acoustic of the church is moderately resonantand allows for a good blend of organ sounds as tone travels to the listener. Thomas Trotter, famed British organist, played the original dedication concert in January 1992, and upon installation of the Solo division in 2003-2004, Thomas Murray of Yale played the dedication concert of the completed Reuter instrument in June 2004.
The Chancel organ was reconditioned by Foley-Baker, Inc. in 2013 with a new relay system, all new wiring and updated console controls. There are now 250 levels of memory, a sequencer,record and playback system and new standard keyboards and pedalboard. Several reed stops were reconditioned by Christopher Broome and many smaller pipes were replaced with new, to enable more stability in tuning and regulation. Regulation and cleaning of some older pipework was done to provide a more stable sound in various divisions.
The Gallery Organ was built and installed by Casavant Frères, Ltée of Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec in 1973. This beautiful, cohesive instrument as completed was designed in 1972 and tonally finished by Gerhard Brunzema, Casavant’s Tonal Director. Containing three manuals and pedal with 60 ranks and more than 3,100 handcrafted and voiced pipes in four divisions (three of which are visible in freestanding cases) on slider windchests, this superb instrument is well suited for the repertoire of Bach and Baroque music, as well as music from the classical period. The full, Germanicplenum,colorful flutes, clear principals, mounted Cornetin the Grand OrgueandCornet de composéein the Positifare especially notable.
The commanding and visually stunning Trompetteen Chamade ofpolishedcopper is mounted horizontally ontop of the gallery organ case,and was installed in 1991 by Reuter. This stop can herald the entrance of a bride or solo out hymn melodies onfestive occasions.
The two organs comprise nine divisions, two consoles, 130 pipe ranks and five digital voices, totaling 135 ranks, and is one of the 100 largest organs in the world. The chancel console is movable, controls both instruments and affords the player and the listener a stereophonic experience and sense of natural “surround-sound”,from the softest whisper to the most powerful full ensemble,emanating from all areas of the building, something rarely experienced in American churches. The organ is noted for its rich timbres, blend and ability to provide orchestral effects and crescendos as well as the classical sounds for all periods of organ repertoire.
The Organ Donors
The Nell Pruyn Chancel (1991 Reuter) and Gallery (1973 Casavant) Organs were given in memory of Mary Pruyn and Maurice Hoopes by their daughter, Polly Hoopes Beeman, great benefactress of this church and Glens Falls community. The Solodivision of the Chancel Organ was completed in 2004 and was given in memory of Darwin E. Leland and Marion C. Leland by their daughter, Marcia Leland Coleman. The Zimbelstern and Glockensternwere installed in 2006, given in memory of Darwin E. Leland by his family and friends.
A funding campaign for the Chancel Organ Reconditioning Project in 2012-2013 included a major grant from the Charles R. Wood Foundation, along with many gifts from members of the congregationand friends from the community both near and far. We are grateful to all donors for their great generosity throughout the years toward these instruments.
The Church Building
This inspiring church building was designed by the noted neo-Gothic American architect, Ralph Adams Cram, of Cram & Ferguson, Boston, in consultation with Louis Fiske Hyde, Chairman of the Building Committee, church member, arts patron and co-founder of what is nowThe Hyde Collection Museum in Glens Falls. The gloriously Gothic and beautifully conceived edifice is constructed of Indiana limestone, Massachusetts granite and solid oak, andis listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The cornerstone was laid September 19, 1926 and the formal dedication was held June 9, 1929. Spectacular stained glass in the medieval style, based upon 12th and 13th century French cathedral examples,representinstallations by Wilbur Herbert Burnham of Boston (West Rose window); Reynolds, Francis & Rhonstock of Boston (Great East End NaveTe Deum window); and grisaille(gray monochrome) glass by J. M. Kase & Sons of Reading, Pennsylvania (Aisle windows).
The nave and Pruyn Room chandeliers and other detailed ornamental ironwork, including all the lanterns, radiator grilles and light torchères, were fabricated by the famed Polish ironcrafter, Samuel Yellin, of Philadelphia. The unique, ornate and intricate wood carving of the chancel organ screen and linen-fold paneling throughout the building were fashionedfrom solid white oak by the world-famous firm of Irving & CassonofBoston.
The length of the beautifully proportioned and European-scaled building is 140 feet from the Great East Te Deum window to the West Rose window. The interior nave height is 70 feet from floor to ridgepole, or one-half the length. The width is 58 feet and the center aisle is nearly 100 feet long. On the exterior, twin turreted towers rise 78 feet above grade with a large bell in the north tower. The graceful slender spire(flèche), with splendid examples of gargoyles and trumpeting angels rendered insolid copper reaches 140 feet (twice the nave height) and is topped by an imposing 7-foot Celtic cross.
First Presbyterian Church of Glens Falls was founded in 1807 and this edifice is the fifth building to serve this active congregation of more than 600 members. Committed to its mission of “Loving, Learning and Making a Difference Through Christ”, the church ministers to the church membershipand community through programs for children, youth and adults.
A strong concert series featuring fine musicians in various concerts from solo organ, to Halloween PipeScreams, Messiah Sing-Alongs and guest choirs enrich the offerings to the community. The church has a graded music-choral program to carry on the good tradition of quality music and music educationenhancing congregational inreach and community outreach in the worship, service and love of God throughout the area.
† K. Bryan Kirk ~ updatedJune 2014 †
First Presbyterian Church ~ 400 Glen Street ~ Glens Falls, New York 12801
518.793.2521, ext. 17 ~