The Great Organ

The following information is from the book, "Holy Family Parish: Priests and People" by Br. Thomas M. Mulkerins S.J. published in 1923.

The organ was originally built in 1869 by Mitchell & Son of Montreal, Canada at a cost of $30,000.  It is entirely built of imported material.  The metal pipes and reeds were made in Paris.  The case is built of walnut in the Gothic style.  The pipes of the double Open Diapason are heavily gilded and arranged and placed in three towers.  Over each tower is placed a group of angels-elegant wood carvings-each angel bearing a musical instrument, also heavily gilded, hand carved by French-Canadian sculptor Charles Oliver Dauphin.  On the certer, and largest tower, over a group of angels, is a statue representing David with gold crown and harp.  When the organ was installed, it was considered the largest and finest organ in the country.

The organ, as originally constructed, contained sixty-four speaking stops or registers, and 3,944 pipes.   There were four organs, each independent of the other, and when required, combined.

The great organ contained 1,456 pipes; the swell organ contained 1,288 pipes; the choir organ contained 840 pipes; the pedal organ contained 360 pipes.  The pipes varied in length from the size of a penceil to 34 feet in length by 30 to 34 inches in diameter.

Originally, it required six to eight men to supply the wind need for this instrument.  In 1892, the Roosevelt Organ Company of New York renovated the organ replacing the hand blowing required with three hydrolic pumps to supply the wind.

In 1923, the organ was again modernized and was now powered by electrical motors.  After this reconstruction, the organ now consisted of five organs.

The Great Organ was used after its opening in 1870, on all Sundays and Festivals, High Masses, and Vespers.  It was also used at grand weddings, funerals, and whenever any solemn occasion required it.  Today, the organ can be heard on Christmas Eve, before the Christmas Vigil Mass.