The Organs of Grace Church

As best we understand, the "Old Grace" building (1874 - 1906) never had a pipe organ. Two small reed organs served until 1887, when a Vocalion, a large reed organ with pedals and (often) facade of non-speaking pipes, was installed in the nave, calling for Grace's first trained organist. Under Dr. C. Elvin Haupt's leadership the young congregation quickly outgrew the building. "New Grace," the present building, dedicated in 1908, included a pipe organ rebuilt by Robert Hope-Jones of Elmira NY from Hook & Hastings' Op. 807 (1875) of two manuals and 30 "registers" originally installed in Park Church, Elmira NY. Hope-Jones made major tonal changes to that organ, also enlarging it to 34 ranks and 43 speaking stop, including a 32' stop in the pedal. Newspapers reported it as the largest organ in Lancaster at its time. As was his wont, Andrew Carnegie contributed liberally to its purchase, meeting $2,000 of its $5,800 contract cost. Installed in a large chamber to the left of the chancel, above the present working sacristy, it was "opened" on 11 February 1909 in a recital by Frederick Maxson of First Baptist Church, Philadelphia.

In 1949 the Fritsche Organ Co. of Allentown made significant changes and additions to the Hope-Jones, with an inaugural recital by the blind organist Dr. Rollo Maitland of Philadelphia on 8 May 1949.

The present organ, built by Hermann Schlicker of Buffalo NY and installed in a new organ case in the rear gallery, contains 52 ranks in 44 speaking stops. Purchased through a bequest of M. Eva and Naomi E. Warfel in memory of their parents, it bears the name "Warfel Memorial Organ." Frank McConnell, then organist/choirmaster of St. James' Episcopal Church, Lancaster, and consultant for the organ, played the opening recital on 29 November 1967. Abram Longenderfer chaired the organ committee that planned for the instrument. Digital electronic 16' and 32' Bourdon stops were added by Walker Technical Co. in October 2000. Listen to it!

In May 1991 a two-manual tracker-action pipe organ of 14 ranks was moved from a private home in South Carolina to the newly-constructed St. Peter Chapel as a gift of Arthur Freiburg in memory of Theresa M. Freiburg, Mrs. Margaret Frey in memory of L. Ralph Frey, and Mrs. Helen Bucks in memory of Paul A. Bucks. Built in 1986 by Roger Pulham of Charsfield, Suffolk Co, England, in the 18th-century French style, it has recently be refurbished by the Soli Deo Gloria Organ Co. of Millersville PA and serves for weekly Saturday evening Eucharists, weekly services of Evening Prayer and for weddings and funerals held in the chapel. Listen to it!