| Sanctuary and Chapel |

| Bell Tower | Organs | Library | 

Sanctuary and Chapel

After almost two years of construction, the present Sanctuary was dedicated on January 17, 1926. Both of our morning worship services are held here. Including the balcony, it will seat 950 people.

Work began in 1954 to build the Chapel. It was dedicated on September 11, 1955. This 125-seat building has been used over the years for Sunday School classes, special services, weddings, and funerals.

Bell Tower with 48 Bell Carillon (back to top)

The old church had a bell in its tower which was rung regularly until it was learned that its ringing disturbed some patients at nearby Mary Black Hospital, whereupon it was silenced. With the "new" church structure in even closer proximity to the hospital, no bells were placed in the tower until 1994, long after the hospital relocated to its Skylyn Drive setting.

In 1993, as plans were being formed to celebrate the church's sesqui-centennial, the desire for a bell or bells in the church's bell tower began to emerge. Anne Porchèr Perrin was appointed chair of this effort, and enthusiasm among our members began to mount. The cost of this endeavor was in hand within ten days as a result of very generous special contributions by many of the church members. After much research by the Bells Committee, it was decided to acquire a peal of four bells. The committee determined that the finest bells are designed and cast by Paccard Fonderie de Cloches in Annecy-le-Vieux, France, and the order was placed. The Sesquicentennial Bells, as these four are named, were dedicated on April 10, 1994 and they formed the largest swinging peal in the Southeastern United States. Adjacent to the walk leading from the side door of the sanctuary to Chestnut Street is a beautiful marker containing information as to the weights of and inscriptions upon these Sesquicentennial Bells.

A pride and love for these original bells could be quickly detected among the congregation and it was not long before a challenge grant was received by the Session. The benefactors would contribute one-half the cost of ten additional bells if the church would raise the other half. Don Bain was appointed chair of the committee that very quickly raised the matching funds. These ten bells, also designed and cast by Paccard, were dedicated on September 8, 1996. The church now had not only a peal of bells but also a chime, which could play limited hymns and other sacred songs. The enthusiasm and pride in the majestic music from the bell tower swelled even more in the congregation.

In January 2000, the church launched its "Believe in the Future" capital funds campaign to cover the costs of real estate acquisitions, Sunday School additions, recreational facilities, extensive renovations, and other improvements. As part of the $9,500,000 raised in that campaign, designated contributions for additional bells were received in an amount sufficient to acquire and install 34 additional bells. Many of these bells are much smaller and less expensive than the first 14. Like those 14, these 34 bells were designed and cast by Paccard and the church now has a full 48 bell carillon ranging from musical note "C", weighing 4,641 pounds, to musical note "C7", weighing 29 pounds. All are 78% pure copper and 22% pure block tin. Contributions have established a perpetual fund in an amount sufficient to defray costs of all maintenance.

The bells stand as an expression of the love and devotion of our members to the worship and praise of God, and will bring joy and pleasure to members of our church and of this community for many generations.

You can now hear beautiful hymns being played on our carillon at 8:00 a.m. and at noon.

Organs (back to top)

The Aeolian-Skinner Organ (1968)

The present sanctuary pipe organ was built by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company of Boston, Massachusetts. It consists of three manuals of 49 ranks with a floating antiphonal organ playable from the Great and Choir manuals. The cathedral chimes from the previous instrument were incorporated into the organ, as were the largest 10 notes of the old Pedal Bourdon, which were made into a 32’ resultant. The original case with display (non-speaking) pipes was retained.

Pipes for the Swell and Choir (formerly encased in other areas) were installed in chambers to the left and right of the Great organ behind open grills. An antiphonal organ was installed in the rear balcony at a height to keep it in tune with the main organ. This instrument was given in memory of Glenn Stables by his wife. The cost was $90,000.

The original sanctuary instrument was built by the Hook and Hastings Organ Company of Massachusetts and was completed on June 1^st, 1925. It consisted of 43 ranks plus a 20-note harp (Choir manual) and cathedral chimes (from Echo organ on the Choir manual). The console was in the middle of the choir loft behind the central pulpit and contained 4 manuals: Great, Swell, Choir, and Echo (pipes at the roof level of the rear balcony). All pipes were under expression by shutters except the Great and Pedal pipes. It was classified as a romantic church organ and included a Vox Humana (human voice) stop. Casework was not included in the 1925 cost of $20,300.

The Schoenstein Organ (1995) 

When the original chapel organ (Greenwood, 1954, given by Dr. George Price in memory of his parents) reached the end of its useful life, the congregation was determined to replace it with an instrument that would not only prove serviceable but also be unique and beautiful in its own right, offering an aural complement to the remarkable visual aesthetic of the chapel itself. After a year of work and consideration of proposals from 14 different builders, the committee recommended that the church enter into an agreement with the Schoenstein company of San Francisco, Ca. to purchase a 12 voice, 15 rank instrument at a cost of $206,000. Schoenstein is best known for its mammoth rebuilding project on the historic Aeolian Skinner organ at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. However, it was the firm’s success at building smaller instruments that were comprehensive, beautiful, and versatile that convinced the committee that this builder was the one the church could trust for this important project. The organ was given by the congregation in honor of Dr. John E. Williams, Music Director at First Presbyterian for 43 years before his retirement in 1991.

The chapel is a small building, but it is home to many important events. Weddings, funerals, worship services, recitals and concerts all take place there. The Schoenstein has more than fulfilled our hopes of having an instrument with a minimum number of voices that is still capable of fulfilling all our musical needs.

The organ offers two unique features that will be of interest to organ enthusiasts. First, the entire instrument is under expression; that is, every voice or combination of voices can be made softer or louder by the use of shades that open and close to release or retain sound. Second, the Tuba Minor is housed in its own box and is under separate expression that opens into the Swell, making it capable of sounds ranging from a soft oboe to a heroic trumpet. These features, along with the overall success of the instrument, have drawn interest from around the country, and we are pleased to welcome organists and organ committees interested in playing and hearing the instrument.

Library (back to top)

The Library is located in Room 1100 on the first floor of the Main Building. Its purpose is to offer a collection of books and periodicals that provides religious, devotional, denominational, Christian, and life-enrichment materials. Our aim is to serve our whole congregation in its ministries.

The library’s reference books and books added since 1990 to the circulating collection are arranged by the Dewey Decimal System and can be located through the computerized catalog on the desk in the library. Instructions for using the computerized catalog are located on the desk. Older books, located in the shelf next to the Chestnut Street window, were organized by another system and are gradually being re-cataloged into the Dewey Decimal System and reshelved. To find one of these older volumes, it is necessary to browse. A list of categories for the older volumes is posted on the end of that shelf.

To check out a book, fill out the book card from the pocket inside the book with the current date, your name and phone number. Place the completed card in the small metal file box on top of the book return box located on the desk. Books should be returned after 14 days and placed in the book return box.

If you have questions or concerns, you may contact the Library Committee via email by clicking here.

Library Corner

Click here for published book summaries.

Memorials and Gifts

The gift of a book to the church library is a wonderful and lasting way to and honor and remember people who are special in your life. A distinctive bookplate with the honoree and contributor’s name is placed in an appropriately selected book, and a note regarding the gift is sent to the honoree or their family. Simply notify the church office of your desire to make a contribution to the library, identify the honoree and amount you would like to contribute, and you will receive a contact from a member of the library committee to complete your request. Memorials, Birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day - all special occasions or just because you want someone to know you are thinking of them, are wonderful reasons to give a book.

The mission of the Children's Library is to offer a collection of books that will aid families in instilling spiritual values in the moral fiber of our children and youth. The library consists of Christian-based children's and youth books that are available for all children of our church to check out and enjoy at home.

A contest was held in early 2002 to name and design artwork for the library. Sarah Glenn Neidenbach's title and Michael McNeely's artwork were chosen as the winners. The Book Nook for Children of Christ was dedicated on Sunday, April 21, 2002. It is located in Room 205 on the first floor of the Clark Building.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Book Nook, please click here for a form.