Gate of Heaven Roman Catholic Church
South Boston, MA 
Opus 640


 
 
Great
16 Open Diapason
  8 Open Diapason
  8 Second Open Diapason
  8 Viol da Gamba
  8 Gemshorn
  8 Doppel Flute
  4 Wald Flute
  4 Octave
  2 Super Octave
  III-V Progressive Mixture
  8 Trumpet
Swell
16 Bourdon
  8 Open Diapason
  8 Salicional
  8 Vox Celeste
  8 Aeoline
  8 Stopped Diapason
  8 Quintadena
  4 Flauto Traverso
  4 Violina
  2 Flageolet
  III Dolce Cornet
16 Contra Fagotto
  8 Cornopean
  8 Oboe
  8 Vox Humana
     Tremulant
     Vox Humana Tremulant
Choir
16 Dulciana
  8 English Diapason
  8 Viol d'Orchestre
  8 Dolce
  8 Concert Flute
  4 Fugara
  4 Flute d'Amour
  2 Piccolo
  8 Saxophone
     Tremulant
Pedal
32 Contra Bass (Resultant)
16 Open Diapason
16 Violone
16 Bourdon
  8 Flute
  8 Violoncello
16 Trombone
 

"The instrument at Gate of Heaven was custom made by the Estey Organ Co. of Brattleboro, VT. Many of the instruments Estey manufactured were stock model organs, however, the organ at Gate of Heaven was made specifically for the church. It contains 47 ranks, 46 stops and 2,675 pipes.

"In 1958, William F. Patchell, organ builder, of Malden, MA, rebuilt the instrument, replacing the tubular-pneumatic action with electro-pneumatic primaries, and also replaced the original console with its current 3 manual Kimball stoptab console. Patchell also made other changes for ease of service.

"In 1962, more changes were made, this time by Morel Organ Co. of Reading, MA. Changes were purely tonal. Most of the pipework remains as it was installed in 1909, while approximately 9 ranks were replaced, re-pitched or moved to a different location.

"As of 2009, the organ is in disrepair. The repair costs are estimated to be over $100,000 because of the custom made nature of the organ. The church choir now performs on the left side of the altar."

                                                                     - Rev. A. Paul White, son and vicar of Gate of Heaven for over 40 years.

 
 
Sources
Estey Opus List
Father William Campbell
 
 
 
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