Our organ was built by Felix Schoenstein & Company of San Francisco, California, founded in 1877. The firm was chosen to rebuild the famous organ in the Mormon Tabernacle at Salt Lake City. Our organ took over 18 months to design and build, and required an additional four months to install and voice; the total labour hours exceeded 16,000! It is the first Schoenstein instrument in the mid-Atlantic region.

 

Pipes are made from an alloy of tin, lead, zinc and copper, as well as wood (generally pine). The smallest pipe is pencil-sized; the largest pipe is 18.5 feet tall, 2 square feet in dimension and weighs 430 pounds. The weight of the organ is approximately 32,000 pounds. There are 40 miles of wire in the console, relay action and wind chests. The console is controlled by a state-of-the-art digital memory system and features oak and walnut cabinetry, inlaid with maple, ebony and coca bola. The pedalboard and its accessories are adjusted by an elevator device, making the console instantly comfortable for organists of varying height.

 

The organ is designed to accompany the Anglican Service and has a rich selection of colourful solo stops and soft effects, as well as ensembles for brilliant hymn playing. It is modelled upon the work of Henry Willis, builder of organs at Saint Paul's, London, and Salisbury Cathedral. Ours was the first organ of this type to be installed in the Washington area in some 50 years. Musical features unique to Saint Paul's organ: