Presbyterian Church
Hamilton Square, NJ
Opus 186
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Excerpts from Trustees and Corporation Meetings regarding the Pipe Organ December 15, 1904: “At the close of the organ recital the Elders and Trustees met for the approval of the Organ installed in the Hamilton Square Presbyterian church, built by the Estey Organ Company, Brattleboro, Vermont. Mr. R. McAll of New York explained the workmanship of the Instrument and upon the approval of Professor Charles M Pelle [??] Organist of Trenton NJ they unanimously agreed to accept the Pipe Organ placed by the Daniel Estey Company, and that the Tres. of the Organ Fund Mr. H. D. Ivins [??] to pay Mr. McAll the sum of $800 and take receipt for same.” October 26, 1919: “A recommendation to the Session that we hold a memorial service to commemorate the memory of Andrew Carnagy who made it possible for us to obtain our splendid pipe organ.” September 9, 1943: “Special meeting of Trustees held this evening for the purpose of discussing the rebuilding of the church organ.... Mr. Lennox read an agreement from a Mr. Raymond G. Pinielow [??] to do the work of rebuilding the Organ for $590. Motion made and carried that the vice President + Sec. sign a contract to have such work done. Mr. Lennox + Mr. Mueller the church organist were appointed a committee to look after the repairs.” January 14, 1944: “Motion made ... that the Bal. Of money rec’d from Helping Hand Society be placed in a separate acc’t for keeping the organ tuned which contract calls for $135 per year.” October 4, 1948: “Mr. Hutchinson made a motion and carded that the President see the man about tuning the Pipe Organ on a contract for as long as possible @ $150.” June 5, 1955: “For the purpose of rebuilding the organ a motion made and carried — new console + Electric motor with the addition of a blower + several ranks of pipes which are being donated by the organist + the rebuilding of the external construction of the organ work be done by Mr. Memmott with his assistant Paul Tinngelmann cost not to exceed $1500.” October 3, 1955: “Motion made + carried that the organist be paid $100 for additional parts furnished for the organ.” January 11, 1956: “The annual meeting of the Corporation A discussion of the re-building of the church organ followed. Briefly, the situation was reviewed: the decision of the Board of Trustees and Session to follow the Minister of Music’s suggestion of electrifying the organ arid permission being granted the Minister of Music, William R. Memmott, to do the work himself. It was pointed out that work on the organ, started around June, 1955. has been held up because during the summer Mr. Memmott’s assistant found that he could not continue to help and Mr. Memniott was left to do the job alone.. Mr.. Ivins pointed out that even though Mr. Memmott had resigned as of December 31, 1955, from the Ministry of Music because |
of health reasons and the pressure of school and other activities, he has promised to continue his work on the re-construction of the organ. Volunteers to act in the capacity of carpenter and laborer were urged to give Mr. Memmott a hand on Saturdays from 9:30 to 5:00 to help, and the men of the church are responding.” January 2,. 1956: “A regular meeting of the Trustees ... was held.... A general discussion took place relative to repairing the church organ and hiring a replacement for the former organist who had resigned. The trustees were informed that Mrs. Hoppock was being hired on a temporary basis as organist.” May 29, 1956: “WHEREAS, at a special meeting of the Congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton Square held on May 29, 1956, said meeting being held pursuant to a 10 day written notice which was posted on the front entrance of said church, and also announced at least 10 days prior thereto from the pulpit of said church, a motion was made, seconded and duly passed that the Board of Trustees be authorized to borrow an amount up to Fifty-Eight Hundred ($5800.00) Dollars from the bank to take care of the repair of the present church pipe organ: and WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Hamilton Square deem it desirable and for the best interests of said Church to borrow an amount up to and including the sum of Fifty-Eight Hundred ($5800) Dollars for said purpose; and ...“ [The rest of this goes on to document the terms of the loan from the First National Bank of Hamilton Square] June 11, 1956: “A regular meeting of the Board of Trustees .. was held .... A motion was made and passed, a copy of which is attached hereto [May 29, 1956 document above], authorizing the borrowing of $5800. for the repair of the present church pipe organ.” May 15, 1957: “A special meeting of the Corporation... was held.... Mr. Ivins reported that the Church will hold a Supper in the Fall, proceeds of which are to be used for the Church Organ Fund.” September 14, 1959: “The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees ... was held.... A motion was made and passed that we renew our maintenance agreement with the Church Organ Company for tuning the pipe organ and that the proper officers be authorized to sign the agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof.” [attached agreement covers service 4 times per year for total of $100.] Notes & Observations • Records prior to 1956 were handwritten. [??]indicates best guess at deciphering hand-written names. • Basic chronology: o 1904 — organ installed at total cost of $1600; half donated by Carnegie o 1943—organ rebuilt at a cost of $590 o 1955— decision made to electrify pipe organ, at estimated cost of $1500 o 1956-- $5800 borrowed to complete organ work o 1990’s — new blower & controls installed as part of TWC program • Although it is never stated in writing, I believe that at or around the June 1955 meeting the choice presented was electrifying the original pipe organ vs. replacing it with a new electronic organ. Hence the wording used several places to repair the “present church pipe organ”. WGH
05/27/04 |
