Central Presbyterian, Owensboro, exterior of church

CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OWENSBORO, KENTUCKY

Central Presbyterian Owensboro, view of chancel
Henry Pilcher's Sons
Opus 710
1910


Great:
Open Diapason 8'
Melodia 8'
Dulciana 8'
Octave 4'

Swell:
Violin Diapason 8
Stopped Diapason 8
Flute Harmonic 4
Quint 1-1/3
Tremolo
Chimes

Pedal:
Bourdon 16
Bourdon 8

Couplers:
Swell to Great
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal


HISTORY:

According to the Organ Historical Society's online database, an organ by an unknown builder was in this church prior to 1910.  This organ was moved to St. Paul (Col'd) Episcopal, Atlanta, GA in 1911, after Central purchased Pilcher Op. 710 in 1910. 

According to a written church history of Central Presbyterian, an organ was installed in December of 1909 by the Henry Pilcher Co. of Louisville at a cost of $1,825 (perhaps it was commissioned by the church in 1909, or begun that year, and completed or dedicated in 1910).

Description from the Organ Historical Society database:
Henry Pilcher's Sons (1910, Opus 710).
2 manuals. 9 stops. 9 ranks.
Slider chests. Mechanical key action. Mechanical stop action.
Cost $1850.

A Quint 1-1/3' stop was added in more recent years. 

Members of the Evansville Chapter of the American Guild of Organist visited the Pilcher organ at Central Presbyterian on an organ crawl in October 2002 and reported in the chapter's newsletter: "The group then went on to Central Presbyterian Church and heard the refined and delicate tones of an early 20th century mechanical action organ built by Henry Pilcher & Sons, Louisville....surely a significant historical musical treasure." 

The organ was to have received a thorough cleaning from the Miller Organ Company in the Spring of 2009 according to the Miller website. 

Performers at the centennial concert at Central Presbyterian.

The Evansville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, in conjunction with the congregation of Central Presbyteria Church, held a centennial celebration in honor of the instrument on January 24, 2010, consisting of a concert and reception (see performers above, and sound clips from the concert below).

Dr. Emil Ahnell is the organist at the church as of 2010. 

Click here for more on the Pilcher organ company.




 

 

 


Sound Clips from Centennial Program on January 24, 2010
Evensong by Easthope Martin
Played by Robert Nicholls
Hymn: Abide With Me
Played by Matthew Vanover
What Wondrous Love
Played by Christian Seitz
2 Pieces for Musical Clock
Played by Neal Biggers
Abide With Me by Bolcom
Played by Matthew Vanover
Trio by Julius Reubke
Played by Robert Nicholls
Praise to the Lord
Played by Neal Biggers
Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee
Played by Dr. Emil Ahnell



SOURCES:

A church history at Google's cache of www.centralpchurch.org/history01.html
(Accessed in February of 2009)

Organ Historical Society:
http://organsociety.bsc.edu/SingleOrganDetails.php?OrganID=18429
http://organsociety.bsc.edu/SingleOrganDetails.php?OrganID=1242
(Accessed in February of 2009)

Website of the Miller Organ Company, Louisville
www.millerorgan.com
(Accessed in February of 2009)

Evansville AGO Chapter Newsletter: November 2000

Interior photos and sound clips by Neal Biggers made on March 23, 2009, with assistance by Emil Ahnell.


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