Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-06
OLD NEW YORK ORGANS.
Very Ancient Musical Instru-
ments in Churches of Thai
CITY.

City.
From the New York News.
Within the time-tried walls Of two quaint
old churches In this borough of Manhattan
there may be heard on Sundays and festal
occasions the fine. full tones of the two
most ancient organs in any of the greater
city's sacred structures. Both churches In
which these organs stand are on the east
side of town, and both have closely asso-
ciated with their histories many of the
proudest names of sturdy old knicker-
booker families.
Queer 1t is that these tuneful instru-
ments. whose value Is literally incomputa-
bic. should be known to few; both organs
are among the priceless musical relics Of
the city's younger days. The most veneer
able of the two instruments referred to
stands in the Dutch Reformed church in
NorfoA street. about midway between
Rivington and Stanton streets. Its history
Is intertwined with tales of colonial war
fare and of brutal British soldiers who
thumped its keys with greasy digits and
forced through the graceful pipes strange
and unholy melodies set to ribald rhymes.
The Norfolk street instrument has even
had the shadow of q crime, long since for
gotten. cast athwart its solid form, and
ghostly fingers. says neighborhood tradi-
winter nights. Many are the names which
have become a part of Gotham's musical
history mentioned in connection with the
life of this rare old leader Of sacred song.
The elder John Jacob Astor. one of the
deacons of the church. sang in compani-
ment to its melodious voice. unmindful Of
the cares of trade or the tricks of fortune
building for an ambitious progeny.
Originally the old organ was built in
Holland of well seasoned woods from the
Black forest. and reed pipes tuned by low
ing hands. 1t had many homes before it
was finally erected in the Norfolk street
edifice. Age has succeeded only in mel
lowing the tones and adding to its stocky.
Holland comeliness of outline and orna-
ment.
The other ancient organ is part Of the
Hedd!ng Methodist Episcopal church, in
Seventeenth street. near First avenue. The
congregation of this church Is naturally
Its history is somewhat clouded by a drift
of meager and conflicting facts. It is both
denied and affirmed that its pipes. at least,
were imported from Holland. Whatever
the proportion of truth in these pipe stories
1t ts certain that the organ proper was
built in New York in 1897 by George Jar
dine, the founder of the famous firm Of
organ constructors.
OF the first, important undertakings of the
organ builder. The youthful Jardine had
r IsGd Whe come ne to- to TINS aE.r 9unfr h,s from rom Eng,
apprentice on some of the most perfect
organs in the world at that time. notably
the big instrument In Westminster Alb
When the old Wall Street Presbyterian
church. was moved to Jersey City and be-
came the FIRST presbyterian churCn OF that
town. which event took place away back
IN 1886. the members placed an order with
the young English organ maker for a high
grade instrument. With the benefit of his
experience abroad. Jardine built what was
then the finest organ in the country, and
It was exhibited at the American Institute
fair, where 1t won the gold medal and
first prize. While on exhibition there. it
was played upon by DR.. Edward Hodges.
then organist of old Trinity church. and
one of the most finished organ musicians
in the world. The instrument received
widespread praise, both for it's tone and
its volume. and was generally acknowl-
mechanism.
Soon after the great fair ended. the new
organ was set uo in the church over in
Jersey, City. and became an object Of con-
siderable attention. While there it was
gssanist Of Calvary church in this city; In
and the organ was then sold to the He'd
ding Methodist Episcopal church.: and
moved over to its present home-Seven-
tenth street. About three years ago 1t
was moved from the back of the building
to its present position over the pulpit at
the north end Of the church.