Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-16
FAMOUS CHURCH ORGANS
OF THE NATIONALCAPITAL

Washington owns the most remarkable
pipe organ in the country. Some authori-
| ties claim 1t to be the most remarkable
pipe organ in the world.
The Temple Beth Elohim is the possessor
| of this king Of Instruments, which was de-
! signed by the temple organist, George w.
Walter, doctor of music. Columbian Uni
versity, and a resident Of the District for
many years.
This masterpiece, exclusive Of Its kind'
and which represents the highest achieve
| ment extant of a type but recently evolved
in the history of organ building, was con-
structed by the w. W. kimball Company
Chicago. according to plans and specihca-
| lions drawn by DR.. Walter. 1t occupies
| space fifty feet wide, thirty-three feet high
| and sixteen feet deep in a special gallery
| over the main entrance to the temple. IL
weighs nearly twenty-five tons and is of
| extraordinary solidity in construction, nara
/ woods exclusively being employed Tor the
| massive framing, bearers, bracings ana
practically throughout the instrument. Inc
| casing is of polished mahogany. The high
| finish Of every interior feature OF the IN
| strument is revealed by a complete system
| of electric lighting; the smallest parts are
! exposed to view; even the interior pipes
i
| and walkways furnish access to the rows
upon rows of pipes-pipes into which a
man could crawl, and pipes it would bother
| a fly to enter. any Of which can be easily
reached without removal Of any other
To quote DR.. Walter: In this organ the
| best known conditions for the speech OF
every distinct register Of pipes have been
adopted. Thus one family will speak to
| greater perfection on light wind. while
another requires heavy pressure of wind
for its best speech. Some kinds are in
their nature so unsociable as not to brook
the familiarity of a common supply with a
| neighbor. In this instrument these SEEM
ing Inconsistencies have been studied; each
family Is placed to the greatest advantage
of speech and enjoys the food specially pre-
pared and served from a table of its own"
The organ is equipped with a system OF
wind supply altogether out of ordinary.
An engine of six-horsepower operates
central system of immense storage feeders,
distributing through five great reservoirs of
various general pressure. In this marvel
Gus instrument there is no labor, weight,
resistance, friction or delay to contend
with. Its ease Of manipulation, requir-
ing only the natural touch of fingers or
feet instantly to accomplish makes posi-
BILE the creation of a new school or organ
playing and compositions for the organ.
The fame of this instrument has reached
the music centers Of all Europe, and emf
nent organists have crossed the ocean to
see 1t.
Century Behind Europe.
America, from a church organ point Of
view, lags century behind Europe"
This opinion from / prominent authority
doubtless represents conditions. and as
there must always be a reason for state
OF things, he considers that the fault lies in
our lack of demand for organs of a high
order This fault promises to be remedied in
washington, however, as several of the
peyin Pa fbo
stallment of new instruments. though 1t Is
scarcely probable that any will rival in size
cost or construction the great organ In the
Temple Beth E!ohm.
The organ of ST. Dominic's Church was
considered by many judges to be the finest
in Washington from the time of its opening
on st. Patricks day, 1875, until the INSTALL
ing of the Temple organ. 1t has admirers
who claim it to even exceed the latter in
sweetness and purity of tone. 1t was con-
sldered, when erected, to be the masterpiece
OF Roosevelt one of the most eminent or
gan builders of that day. 1t Is thirty feet
in height twentyeight feet in width and
fourteen feet in depth. 1t is worked by
water power and cost $4,000. Miss Bischoff
Is the present organist.
The organ in the New York Avenue Pres
byterian Church was the gift of Gov Alex
ander r. Shepherd who was a member of
the congregation throughout his life in
Washington. 1t was built by Hutchings
Plaisted & Co. of Boston, and was formally
inaugurated in 1873 by Prof F. H. Torring-
ton of Boston. Mr. Andrew Bradley, the first
organist, was succeeded by Frederick Knoll
then by Dr. John P. Caulfeld, and finally
by the present organist, Prof John Porter
Lawrence.
When former Governor Shepherd died his
funeral services were held in this church
and the great organ sounded his requiem.
At Calvary Baptist.
The organ in Calvary Baptist Church was
first used at a sacred service in November,
1895, but was followed later in the month
by recital. Mr.. J. Frank Donahue, Or
ganist Of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross,
Boston, opened the program with Handers
Occasional Oratorio." Other orgonists of
the evening were Prof. Lawrence and Mr..
Frank Gebest, who returned from Europe
to accept an engagement as Organist of
the church. Others who contributed were
Miss Anita Cluss, harp virtuosa; Mrs. Shir-
cliff, soprano, Mr.. VIM. H. Kruger of New
York, tenor, and Mr.. Hoover, bass. Mr.
Arthur D. Mayo Is the present Organist.
The organ in St. Aloysius is as old as
the church, which will celebrate it's golden
jubilee within very few years. 1t was
built by Wilcox and has a water motor |
Mr.. David John Barr was the first organ
list but was soon succeeded by DIR. Harry |
Sherman
The first outlook from st. Aloysius high
white steeple showed the commons of |
Swampoodle, with the nearest horse cars |
seven squares north Dr. Sherman seemed |
to possess, however, the magic Of Hamlefn's |
famous piper, for no sooner had he touched
the keys than the church became over