The Organs at FCCB

First Pipe Organ in Berkeley; Klann Organ

In 1886 the first pipe organ in Berkeley was installed at FCCB in the 1884 sanctuary. In 1906 it was replaced by a new Klann tubular-pneumatic organ for $3,500. The new organ had three manuals and twenty-two ranks (later increased to thirty-four). The console for the new organ burned in a freight car in San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. In 1907 the Schoenstein firm began a series of modifications to remedy many of the mechanical problems found in the new organ.

Schoenstein moved the organ into the new (current) sanctuary in 1925, converting the action from tubular-pneumatic to electro-pneumatic; several additions were made. The organ was sold to Epiphany Catholic Church in San Francisco when the new M.P. Möller organ was installed.

M.P. Möller Organs

The Mabel Hill Redfield Memorial Organ was installed in the Sanctuary in 1948 by the M.P. Möller firm of Hagerstown, Maryland. It had four manuals, 2,296 pipes, and 36 (later enlarged to 45) ranks. The cost was $35,033. Alexander Schreiner gave the dedication recital.

The same year, a two-manual, five rank custom Möller “Artiste” was installed in the new Loper Chapel—a New England colonial style room with fine acoustics. The organ was a memorial gift by Alexander, Aileen, and Alexander, Jr. Andrews “In memory of the men who gave their lives for their country in World War II.” The organ is installed in hardly more floor space than a coat-closet, yet has a big, rich sound. The organ contains both a 16' Bourdon and a full-length 16' Diapason—very unusual for such a small unit organ.

Ott Organ

Following a fire in 1967, the decision was made to replace the sanctuary organ with a three-manual freestanding tracker by Paul Ott, of Goettingen, Germany. It contained 3,142 pipes in 64 ranks and 45 stops. The cost was $75,000 at installation in 1970. Arno Schoenstedt gave the dedication recital. The console was of zebrawood, and the combinations were set by a very unusual Lochkartensetzer—a rolling, punched card reader that relied on small electric bulbs to optically read a set of eight proprietary cards.

In 1989/1990 a new console was provided by Dobson Pipe Organ Builders, Ltd.; additionally, the action was partially electrified, the troublesome Lochkartensetzer was replaced by a standard combination action, a celeste was added, and the Septiéme 1 1/7' stop (actually a 1 1/15' aliquot!) was deleted. Some revoicing was done in order to make the uncompromisingly neo-baroque instrument more suitable for service playing and for interpreting a wider range of music.

In 2004 the organ was purchased by the Paul Ott’s nephew, organbuilder Martin Ott, of St. Louis, MO.

[Historical data from The Future Is Watching, copyright 1999 by James M. Spitze and Richard M. Eakin. Additional technical research by John Walko.]

Long known as a prime performance venue for orchestras, choirs and soloists, the already excellent acoustics of the sanctuary were further enhanced in the 2005 refurbishment. The reverberation is approximately three seconds, slightly less when full.

Petty-Madden Organ

In the summer of 2006 Petty-Madden (Hopewell, NJ) installed its Opus 55 within chambers formerly occupied by the Möller organ. The four-manual organ currently contains 49 stops and 62 ranks, with preparations for 61 stops, 86 ranks. The completed organ will have 4,852 pipes.

Features of the new organ include a console en amphithéâtre of quarter-sawn French white oak and Honduran mahogany. Manual sharps and drawknobs are of African blackwood, Pedal sharps are capped with rock maple. Stop faces are of bone resin, natural keys are of polished cowbone. A full-length 32' Contre-Bombarde of African obeche wood is installed in the west chamber; the resonators go from basement level all the way up to the sanctuary ceiling, where the mitered tops are suspended from wires for seismic purposes.

The builder’s tonal philosophy is aptly described “American Eclectic”; however this particular installation is particularly well-suited to French Romantic and French Symphonic repertoire. The console offers a I/II manual interchange and ventil functions to assist in the interpretation of this literature, and all chorus reeds have parallel domed shallots in the French manner.

Windchests are slider with electric pulldown actions; pallet actions and 32' reed shallots are visible through glass panes, and an elegant spiral staircase provides access to Swell and Choir divisions. Pressure is 4" throughout except for the Pedal 32' stops, which are on 6". The prepared Solo division and Trompette-en-chamade will be on higher wind pressure as well.

The final voicing represents the artistry of Bynum Petty, Larry Trupiano, and Warren Marsh. A particularly nice touch graces the console—a modest brass plaque displaying Bynum Petty’s signature.

Download the full specifications for the new Petty-Madden organ.