We are proud to announce the signing of a contract with St. James School in Philadelphia for the construction of a new pipe organ for the Church of St. James the Less. The 17-stop organ will be our Opus 6.
The Church of St. James the Less is a National Historic Landmark, being “the first example of the pure English Parish church style in America”. Built in 1846 for a Tractarian congregation, it was constructed using measured drawings from St. Michael's Church in Longstanton, Cambridgeshire, built circa 1230. The surrounding graveyard is home to the Wanamaker Memorial Tower, resting place of John and Rodman Wanamaker, and their family.
St. James School opened in 2011, the vision of Rev. Sean Mullen of St. Mark’s Church in Center City Philadelphia, and Dr. Audrey Evans, a pediatric oncologist and a co-founder of the first Ronald McDonald House. This tuition-free Episcopal school serves neighborhood children in grades 5-8. More than just educating, St. James nurtures children in a holistic way, providing healthy meals, medical and dental care, counseling, and full support after graduation, though high school, college, and beyond. In addition, the school is an anchor for the neighborhood, acting as a true community center.
As part of the students’ education, they celebrate an Anglican mass every Friday in the Church, guided by school Chaplain Walter Thorne. Led by organist John Walthausen, the music at school masses is rich in variety, allowing the community to make the Mass its own.
Every project we undertake is unique and brings with it the gifts of the community for which we are building. This project, in particular, brings us real honor to be involved in the formation of the students of St. James School, and in the community that St. James fosters in its community. The project will feature student involvement through each step of the process, taking the opportunity to use St. James’ new organ as a teaching tool.
We will begin construction of the organ in the spring of 2025, with installation about a year later. The existing organ case, original to the building will be retained, as will the façade pipes. The rest of the organ will be entirely new.
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Great 16 Bourdon (Pedal)
8 Diapason
8 Harmonic Flute
8 Salicional (Swell)
8 Salicional Celeste (Swell)
8 Lieblich Gedeckt (Swell)
4 Octave
2 2/3 Twelfth
2 Fifteenth
16 Oboe (Swell)
8 Trumpet (Swell)
Tremolo
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Swell 16 Lieblich Bourdon (TC)
8 Geigen
8 Lieblich Gedeckt
8 Salicional
8 Salicional Celeste
4 Gemshorn
4 Flute
2 Flautino
III Mixture
16 Oboe (TC)
8 Trumpet
8 Oboe
4 Clarion
Tremolo
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Pedal 16 Contra Bass
16 Bourdon
8 Cello
8 Bourdon
8 Lieblich Gedeckt (Swell)
16 Waldhorn (Swell)
8 Trumpet (Swell)
4 Oboe (Swell)
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