The Austin Organ

Austin Organ Co., Opus 362, 1914, III/43

The oldest pipe organ remaining in the city of Atlanta is an Austin Organ built in 1912 for $12,000, and was installed in Trinity Methodist Church’s new sanctuary. It was the original idea of Trinity’s organist, Charles Sheldon, Jr. The Atlanta Journal in October 7, 1912 described it as such:

In the “great organ” there are seven stops and seven couplers, containing 427 pipes. The “small organ” has thirteen stops and two couplers, containing 1,010 pipes: also a tremulant. The “orchestral organ” has eleven stops and five couplers, containing 728 pipes, and a tremulant is attached to these, the original idea of Charles Sheldon, Jr., and a wonderful effect is produced.

The “echo organ” is placed in an ideal chamber built in the back of the auditorium of latticed brick. It is operated from either keyboard of the main organ, and contains five stops and 305 pipes, besides the cathedral chimes of twenty bells.

The “pedal organ” has nine stops and four couplers. Here is the tremendous thundering “Resultant Bass” a 32-foot stop, which is a contrast to the ½ inch piccolo in the swell. So we find in the entire organ 3,844 pipes, giving various strains and combinations of harmony.

Under the direct supervision of Mr. Sheldon the organ has been installed. He drew up the scheme and specifications for the instrument and went to the factory to explain his ideas.

The action of the organ is electro pneumatic throughout with a 5-horsepower motor and an air cheat which provides a 6-inch pressure to each pipe under all conditions. A rare feature of the organ is the harp effect.

In the keeping with the organ’s generous size of 43 ranks, it possesses a large façade of 31 non-speaking pipes, all of which are about 22 feet in length and 9 to 10 inches in scale and finished in Oriental bronze to complement the brick façade and interior of the church. Above and behind the full length pipes, 32 canisters or “cans” as they are affectionately known, complete the illusion of additional pipes.

In the fellowship hall located behind the sanctuary reside 28 shorter and smaller scale non-speaking pipes. An unusual feature of the organ allows only the Swell division (controlled by remotely placed, two manual “slave console”) to speak into the fellowship hall; a second, three-manual console is located in the assembly hall behind the sanctuary. Additionally, this unique instrument, voiced under the influences of Robert Hope-Jones is orchestral in nature; the only one of its kind in Atlanta.

Also of note:

Five of its forty-three ranks of pipes came from the old Whitehall St. church.
Edwin H. Lamare of Chattanooga, TN (municipal organist at Soldiers and Sailers Memorial Auditorium) was the consultant for the new organ contact (1911-1912).
Tonal design influenced by Robert Hope Jones during his tenure at Austin Organ Company

Restoration History

1995

In 1995, the current three-manual console in the sanctuary was rebuilt to accommodate a solid-state memory system by A.E. Schlueter Pipe Organ Sales and Service of Lthonia, Georgia.

2009

In 2009, restorative work was done by Michael Proscia Organbuilder, Inc., in Bowdon, Georgia. The following description details the work done.
96 years of atmospheric and seasonal climate changes, expansion and contraction of the natural wood bracing material began to take its toll in the sanctuary façade. Scallop boards and their supports began separating from the masonry, allowing the large façade pipes to pull away from the wall into the organ. Upon seeing this horrifying sight and to prevent a potential disaster from occurring, the curator of the organ, Mr. Kevin Cartwright, immediately set about assembling a team of volunteers to remove to a safe place (a large balcony at the rear of the church) all 31 of the façade pipes plus the 32 “cans.” Unfortunately, however, while resting on the sanctuary floor, waiting placement in the balcony, ten pipes sustained severe damage when several unknowing little feet trampled upon them.
While removing the fellowship hall façade pipes, we uncovered protection sections of pipes that had retained their original finish. Restoring the original color was a particular concern to the Board of Trustees. We were pleased to have made the discovery.
Part one of the projects involved installing steel I-beams rails and 90 degree plates firmly bolted and cemented into the masonry to support the strengthened scallop boards of the sanctuary façade prior to installation of the pipes and cans. Part two involved stripping, cleaning and repairing or replacing the pipework prior to applications of color coats and sealer, restoring them to their original finish. The work was completed in March of 2009.

Austin Organ Specifications

Donate to help save the Austin organ

Widor Toccata played by Bruce Wyn

Donate to Help us save the organ

Amid the excitement of redevelopment of the building on the corner of Trinity and Washington, members of Trinity United Methodist Church are on an additional mission – to save the iconic 1912 Austin Organ housed in the sanctuary from the wrecking ball.

Why is it in danger? Trinity, a congregation founded in 1853, is in the midst of major redevelopment which will create 83 affordable apartments for seniors across the street from City Hall. To build the 12-story apartment building, the project will demolish a portion of the church building, but preserve the neo-gothic sanctuary. The sanctuary will convert into a multi-use event space – a community arts center for South Downtown.

However, the design of the residential tower and the facilities supporting the event space will push the organ out of its current setting. Trinity members are seeking help to preserve the unique musical instrument from a tragic end.

“That elegant organ has a long and storied Atlanta history that should not be lost. We’re looking to the greater Atlanta community to join us in our work to save this iconic Austin organ,” long-time church organist Bruce Wynn, said.

Much like the Fox Theatre’s “Mighty Mo,” Trinity’s Austin has accompanied silent movies, and orchestra performances. In the days before Atlanta had a symphony hall, Trinity was a favored venue for such performances and the organ was an important part of the performances. The legacy continues as Councilmember Matt Westmoreland remembers recently playing for a wedding on the Austin.

The timeline of the church’s development partner, Gorman and Company, calls for construction to begin in the first quarter of next year. Moving the organ is not in the total project budget.

“Moving an organ is a delicate job. It can be done, but very carefully. It is time consuming and costly,” John Bishop, director of Organ Clearing House, said.

The congregation has committed to provide up to $100,000 for the community effort to save the organ. Towards this end, a series of organ concerts are planned for the fall and winter, beginning on Halloween. Fearing the loss of this unique instrument, the celebrity organists of the city are volunteering to demonstrate to the community its unique capability and emphasize the need to preserve this small part of Atlanta’s downtown history.

“It will take another $100,000 to take the organ apart piece by piece and store it until we can find a way to move it to the balcony of the event space. If we can’t raise the $1.5 million to do that, at least the organ will be safe until we find an appropriate venue for this unique and rare instrument,” said Paul Bolster, longtime church member.

Pastor Williams is optimistic, “We hope our campaign to Save the Organ will buy us time and lead to an angel donor or to find a worthy home in the city for this historic musical instrument. We really don’t want to call for a dump truck.”

Join us on Halloween…

… for our fundraiser to save Trinity UMC’s Austin Organ. The concert is free with a donation at the door. All monies will go towards removing and storing the organ until we can find a future home for it. Can’t join us in person? We’ll also be living streaming the concert. Watch this space for more information about guest organists and repertoire played.