The Cathedral Organ, originally built by Austin Organ Company in 1920, has
been rebuilt and restored in 1957 and 1976. In 1987 further additions were
made, including the Trumpet en chamade, at the top of the organ case. It's
total number of pipes is 4648, making it one of the largest in
Philadelphia.
The Cathedral organ is one of the largest in the city of Philadelphia,
having seventy-five ranks of pipes, ninety stops and 4,648 pipes on four
manuals and pedals. The first pipe organ known to have been installed in
the cathedral was built by John C.B. Standbridge in 1868 at a cost of
$10,000.00. The Organ Dedication was on Wednesday, November 18, 1868.
Participating Organists in the Concert were Mr. David Wood, Organist at St.
Steven’s Church; Mr Henry G. Thunder, Organist at St. Augustine’s Church;
Mr Hugh A Clarke, Organist at Holy Trinity; Mr William A Newland, Organist
at St. Patrick’s Church; and Mr. Michael Hurley Cross, Organist of the
Cathedral of SS Peter and Paul. John C. B. Standbridge of Philadelphia
began building organs in 1840 and quickly gained a reputation for building
exceptional pipe organs in prominent churches in Philadelphia and the
surrounding area.
The Standbridge Organ was replaced, except for the 16’ Subbass, which still
plays today, by a new instrument, Opus 939, built by the Austin Organ
Company of Hartford, Connecticut for a cost of $30,000.00 in 1920. The
contract, signed by the Cathedral Rector Reverend Daniel Gercke, for the
Austin Organ Opus 939 contained some interesting features.
Austin Op. 939 Contract
In the 1957 renovations it was rebuilt by the Tellers Organ Company and a
new console was installed. During these renovations the organ loft was
expanded to provide more room for the choir, which had been established in
the 1920’s.
Tellers Organ Contract
During 1975-76 major renovations were completed on the organ in preparation
for the 41st International Eucharistic Congress and the United States
Bicentennial. In 1977 the Tellers console was replaced with a used Austin
Console, originally built in 1922 for the Rochester Theatre.
Further restoration, undertaken in 1987, included the addition of the
Trumpet en-chamade, situated on the ceiling of the organ case. There was
also a Chancel Organ installed of 11 ranks, built in the 1950’s by the M.P.
Moller Company.
The famous Organ Case is constructed of carved walnut. The richly
ornamental screen is the design of Otto Eggers, who also designed the
Jefferson Monument, the Mellon Art Gallery, and the National Gallery of Art
in Washington, D.C. The case enclosing the organ was most likely built by
Edwin Forest Durang, one of the cathedral architects and builders. The
Organ Case was featured in all three editions of “The Contemporary American
Organ” by William H. Barnes. An inscription above organ referring to St.
Paul’s election by God reads: “Vas electionis est mihi iste, ut portet
nomen meum coram gentibus.” (“He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my
name before the Gentiles.”) (Acts 9:15).