The Great Organs of First Church is an instrument appreciated by organ aficionados around the world for its complexity, grandeur, and remarkable sound. Comprised of several organs joined together, it is among the largest church pipe organs in the world, with 18,094 speaking pipes, 328 ranks, 15 divisions, and a total of 278 speaking stops.
The Seeley Wintersmith Mudd Memorial Organ (Chancel)
The original instrument is immediately visible upon entering the Sanctuary flanking either side of the Chancel. It was installed by the noted American organ builder, Ernest M. Skinner when First Congregational Church of Los Angeles erected their fifth church building at the corner of 6th Street and Commonwealth Avenue in 1931, during the depths of the Great Depression. Voiced in the style of what came to be known as the “American Classic” school of organ building, the five divisions of the organ served as the church’s principal instrument until 1969, when the Frank C. Noon Memorial Organ was installed in the West Gallery. This new addition was built by the Herman Schlicker Organ Company and overseen by First Church’s Organist in Residence at the time, Mr. Lloyd Holzgraf. Set in a free-standing case with towering copper pedal pipes on either side of the historic rose window, the Gallery Organ enables the organist to capture the spirit and inspiration of the North German tradition of the 17th century.
The Frank C. Noon Memorial Organ (West Gallery)
The nationally known James W. Fifield, Jr., Senior Minister of First Church for 32 years, and Lloyd Holzgraf, the brilliant Organist in Residence at First Church from 1959 until 1998, envisioned a grand new instrument in the West Gallery of First Church, more than 200 feet from the Main Altar in the Chancel. Thus, the Frank C. Noon Memorial Organ, named for the distinguished banker and devout churchman who guided the project to completion, was built by Herman Schlicker, with Clarence Mader and Mr. Holzgraf as consultants. Set in a free-standing case with towering copper pedal pipes on either side of the rose window, the Gallery Organ, with its clean voicing, brilliant ensembles and grand basses in its five divisions, enables the organist to capture the spirit and inspiration of the North German tradition of the 17th century.
The Italian Division (Chancel)
The 11th division consists of a small Italian-style Continuo Organ, situated above the Peace Shrine (adjacent to the South Choir of the Chancel). Build by Schlicker, the crisp tones of the Continuo Organ are heard frequently in the accompaniments and in large ensembles.
The Holzgraf Trumpet Royale (Chancel)
Other significant additions to the organ include the Holzgraf Trumpet Royale (located in the Chancel), powerful trumpets which were installed in 1984 in honor of Mr. Holzgraf’s 25th Anniversary at First Church. Two identical consoles – each of which can operate the entire instrument individually or in tandem - set in the Chancel and West Gallery were installed in 1992 and created by the Moller Organ Company. The Gospel and Epistle Divisions, located in the North and South Transepts, were completed during the tenure of Frederick Swann, 1998 to 2001, built by William Zeiler, then curator of The Great Organs.
Inside the Organ Chamber - The Great Organs of First Church -
E.M. Skinner Great, Pedal, Choir, Solo
Renewal and Upgrades
In 1990, First church embarked on a program of renewal and upgrading of the Great Organs designed to meet three separate challenges:
Recognizing that the duplicate Schlicker consoles (1969) were both technologically outdated and increasingly incapable of controlling the vast resources of the organs, the Trustees awarded a contract for the construction of two mammoth five-manual consoles to M.P. Moller, Inc., the oldest and largest American organ builder.
The Mudd Memorial Organ in the Chancel was in need of new wind chests and other mechanical repairs after some 60 years of service.
1989 first Church received a very substantial gift that would add approximately 100 ranks to the Great Organs. Richard F. Meunch, longtime Curator of the Great Organs, undertook the second and third parts of this work until his untimely death in 1992 and it was completed by William Zeiler.
The Moller Consoles (Chancel and West Gallery)
The duplicate consoles that grace the Chancel and the West Gallery of First Church are the largest draw-knob consoles ever built in the Western Hemisphere. The Chancel console, which can be moved out into the Chancel for performances, was installed in November, 1992, and was the last masterpiece designed by the venerable Moller firm, which soon closed its doors as a result of financial problems. (Moller knowingly underbid the actual cost of these gigantic consoles so as to have the prestige of designing/building them).
The twin Gallery console, completed by former Moller craftsmen at the Hagerstown Organ Company, was installed a few months later.
Gospel and Epistle Divisions (North and South Transepts)
Under the direction of the famed Frederick Swann, Organist in Residence from 1998 to 2001, William Zeiler completed the installation of Divisions in the North Transept Gallery (Gospel) and the South Transept Gallery (Epistle), so that those attending services and concerts at First Church are now surrounded by music on four sides. Organists of note from around the world, including E. Power Biggs, Virgil Fox, Alexander Schreiner and Pierre Cochereau, to name only a few, have played the Great Organs of First Church during the last 40 years.
Hearing the Great Organs of First Church
The Great Organs are heard each Sunday in a half-hour organ prelude at 10:30 am. Then, they are played for our morning worship service at 11:00 am and at the great Festival Services of the year. Additionally, they are played in various concert events that are being presented at First Church. It takes tremendous resources to keep it maintained and in excellent working order. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift, or include The Great Organs in your estate planning so that they may be enjoyed for generations to come, visit fccla.org/give for more information.