Organ History

At First Congregational United Church of Christ we consider music to be an essential part of worship, and our amazing organ is an essential part of our music program.

The church's first pipe organ (2 manuals, 21 ranks) was built by Hook & Hastings in 1883. It was moved from First Congregational's previous building when the current edifice was completed in 1895. This mechanical-action organ was replaced by an electro-pneumatic Casavant (3 manuals, 30 ranks) in 1950.

Our current pipe organ was designed and built by Grant Edwards, our organist, in collaboration with Bond Organ Builders. It incorporates the windchests and bellows system from the previous Casavant, as well as an ornate casework and front pipes built by Odell in 1877. Although it appears deceptively original to the church, this casework was installed in 2005, having been salvaged from Old St. Mary's church in Oakland, California. The front pipes, all of which are speaking, were painted and stenciled by Grant Edwards.

The instrument contains a mixture of vintage and new pipes, including a Great Open Diapason built by Hook & Hastings in the Victorian era. These 3,100 pipes fill our sanctuary with awe-inspiring sound every Sunday and at special events.