The Organs in Trinity Church
The first Trinity Church built in 1833 had a one manual, hand-blown organ by Henry Erben of New York, which was lost in the fire and was followed in the second church by a two manual tracker organ, the work of E.G. Hook.
W.A. Johnson of Massachusetts built a three manual organ in 1898 for the present church, which it served for 25 years before it was moved to Lake Placid.
The replacement was a new, three manual organ, by E.M. Skinner of Boston, presented to Trinity in 1924 by Emma Flower Taylor. This gave noble service for almost 46 years, last being used on Easter Day 1970.
The present, four manual organ was dedicated on Sunday, November 29, 1970. Some of the old chests and structure were restored and incorporated into the new organ. The organ was built and installed by Hill, Norman, & Beard, of London, England, with Mr. Mark Fairhead as head voicer, and Mr. Frederick Knapton, the firm's representative in Kingston, Ontario. The new organ was made possible by Mr. John P. Hooker, in memory of his father and mother, George Seeley Hooker and Caroline Regina Haas Hooker, and from funds received by the parish under the terms of the will of Miss Elizabeth M. Haas.
The organ has four manuals and 76 ranks of pipes. The pipes vary in length from 32 feet to those shorter than a pencil. Included in the collection is a festal trumpet, whose pipes are mounted horizontally inside the organ chamber.
The organ case, in choice oak, was designed and made in London, England. It is in Gothic revival style with hand-carved enrichments, while incorporating a modern functional requirement of some chorus stops in open display. The displayed speaking pipes are made of polished tin. An oak screen in the nave replaced a mural, to give a large tonal outlet in that direction.
For many years, the position of organist/choirmaster has been a professional, full-time appointment. Following is a list of those who have served Trinity.
Edmund Q. Sewall circa 1848-1885
Mrs. H. Robinson 1888-1889
The Rev. F.P. Winne 1888-1889
A. Gore Mitchell
Prof. J.B. Hopely
Charles Learned
Gerald F. Stewart 1909-1911
Theodore Beach 1911-1912
Gerald F. Stewart 1909-1911
Percy Newton Cox 1929-1936
Gilbert Macfarlane 1936-1952
Max R. Elsberry 1952-1959
Russell Green 1959-1960
Darwin Stata 1961-1966
Robert Wight 1967-1971
Stacey Simpson 1971-1976
Judith Maxfield 1976-1978
Robert Pletsch 1978-1987
Susan Maxwell 1988-2004
Jason Comet 2004-
Our Mission Statement:
“The purpose of Trinity Church is to grow in the love and knowledge of
God
through Jesus Christ, to follow Him, and to live so as to draw others into
His fellowship.”
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