Evening star., 1898-01-22
OLD NEW YORK ORGANS.

Two Ancient Church Musical Instra-
ments I'm New York.
From the New York Sunday News.
Within the time-tried walls of two quaint
old churches in this borough Of Manhat-
tan 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 associated with their histories many
Of the proudest names Of sturdy old Knick-
erbocker families.
Queer 1t is that these tuneful instru-
ments. whose value is literally incomputa-
Bile, should be known to few; both organs
are among the priceless musical relics OF
the city's younger days. The most vener-
able Of the two instruments referred to
stands in the Dutch Reformed Church in
Norfolk street. about midway between Riv-
ingtOn and Stanton streets. It's history is
intertwined with tales of colonial warfare
and of brutal British soldiers who thumped
Its keys with greasy digits and forced
through the graceful pipes strange and un-
holy melodies set to ribald rhymes.
The Norfolk street instrument has even
had the shadow Of a crime, long since for
gotten, cast athwart its solid form, and
ghostly fingers. says neighborhood tradi-
tion have fingered its worries on black win
ter nights. Many are the names which
have become q 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 o. the
deacons Of the church, sang in accompani-
ment to its melodious voice, unmindful of
the cares Of trade or the tricks of fortune
building for an ambitions progeny.
Originally the old organ was built in Hol-
land Of well-seasoned woods from the Black
Forest, and reed pipes tuned by loving
hands. 1t had many homes before 1t was
finally erected in the Norfolk street edi-
fee. Age has succeeded only in mellowing
Its tones and adding to its stocky, Holland
comeliness of outline and ornament.
The other ancient organ is a part of the
Hedding Methodist Episcopal Church in
18th street near 1st avenue. The congre-
cation Of this church is naturally proud of
its well-preserved old music box. It's his
tory is somewhat clouded by drift of
meager and conflicting facts. 1t is both
denied and affirmed that it's pipes. at least.
were imported from Holland. Whatever
the proportion of truth in these pipe sto-
ries, IT is certain that the organ proper was
built in New York In 1887 by George Jar
dine, the founder of the famous firm of or
gan constructors.
This Hedding Church instrument was one
of the first important undertakings of the
organ builder. The youthful Jardine had
recently come to this country from Eng
land. where he had exercised his skill as
On apprentice on some of the most perfect
organs in the world at that time, notably
the big instrument in Westminster Abbey. q
When the old Wall Street Presbyterian
Church was moved to Jersey City and be-
came the First Presbyterian Church of
that town, which event took place away
back in 1885, 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 1t was exhibited at the Amer
lean Institute fair, where 1t won the gold
medal and first prize. While on exhibit
ton there it was played upon by Dr. Ed
ward 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 its
tone and its volume and was generally ac-
knowledged to be a perfect piece of musical
mechanism. =
Soon after the great fair ended. the new
OF gan was set up in the church over in
Jersey City. and became an object OF con-
siderable attention. While there 1t was
Played by the famous Greatorex the or
ganist of Calvary Church in this city. In
1850 the Jersey City church was torn down,
and the organ was'then sold to the He'd
ding Methodist Episcopal Church and
moved over to its present home-17th
street. About three years ago 1t was moved
from the back of that building to it's pres
ent position over the pulpit at the north
end Of the church.