Pipe Organ

Our current pipe organ, built in 1906 and installed in 1907, was made by the Jessie Woodbury Company in Boston. The organ is a 17 rank, 20 stop instrument, that has a 32-foot base pedal stop and chimes. The original console was attached to the front facade in the center and was a tracker action instrument. In 1956, the tracker organ was electrified and the present console was installed. There are some in our congregation who still remember manually pumping the older organ bellows.

John Goodwin of Chelmsford designed the beautiful facade. The four wooden pipes on either side of the brass pipes are immitation, but the 21 brass pipes all speak except for one small one. The large center 16-foot Bourdon pedal pipe is used each Sunday. The 32-foot pedal stop is used only for special music.

Historical records tell us that the sanctuary housed two other organs prior to the current pipe organ. First, a reed organ was purchased from the Baptist Church in Brattleboro, Vermont and installed in October 1856. Then in May 1873, records indicate that the reed organ was replaced by one built and placed in the church by Geo. H. Ryder of Boston.

Additions and renovations have continued through the years. These include adding the chimes that can be played from the organ console, upgrading some pipes, and repairing the bellows.

Many people have been involved in the development of our musical instruments. Some of the names which show up in both written and oral records include (in alphabetical order):

Thomas Bridge

The Battles family

Leonard Huntress

Thomas Marsh

Janice Psoinos

Eugene Thomas

Sarah Celeste (Wood) Trull

Nathaniel Trull

Robert and Janet Trull