Everyone is Welcome at God's Table
Musical Instruments
FISK Organ, Opus 137,
Gloucester, Massachusetts
The September 2012 dedication plaque of the FISK organ, Opus 137 reads: “Given to the glory of God, and dedicated to the memory of the Reverend Cornelius Ayer Wood, Jr., beloved husband of Rosalyn K. Wood.” The culmination of seven years of planning, fundraising, building, installing, and voicing, this organ is a marvel of technology and craftmanship. It is a 2 manual and pedal instrument of 29 stops and 2002 pipes. The hammered-lead pipework of the Great division is scaled and voiced after 18th century German organs while the Swell division reflects the sonorities of French Romantic organ building of the 19th century. A decade after installation, this organ continues to be heard in its many roles as an instrument of accompaniment for choir, as a leader of congregational singing, and as a solo instrument resounding in majesty, lifting our spirits heavenward.
Visit the the FISK website (below) for a specification list and photos.
FISK Continuo Organ, Opus 157,
Gloucester, Massachusetts
A new continuo organ, gifted by Don and Nancy Miller in December 2019, took a year to build and was delivered to Christ Church and assembled by the FISK Organ Company on Thursday, November 19, 2020. The FISK, Opus 157 was dedicated and heard for the first time during our livestreamed worship service on the following Sunday, November 22. It was also used to accompany and record Christmas carols sung individually or in family groups by our choristers and soloists during the pandemic for the 2020 Christmas Eve broadcast. Beautifully crafted with wood stain to match the rear gallery organ, this portable instrument is used to accompany singers and instrumentalists from the apse of the sanctuary. It is a transposable mechanical action organ of 5 stops and 187 pipes that has an adjustable keyboard which allows it to be played at concert pitch (A=440) or “low” pitch (A=415), appropriate for music compositions of the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries.
Visit the the FISK website (below) for a specification list and photos.
STEINWAY Grand Piano, 1981 model B
Given in loving memory of her mother, Marie Robinson, beloved parishioner Jean Gable made it possible for Christ Church to purchase a 1981 Steinway grand piano, model B in the spring of 2011. This beautiful 7 foot grand piano served as our primary accompanying instrument for worship services in the Parish Hall from May 1 – November 27, 2011 while our sanctuary was being renovated and a new balcony and organ installed. It now resides in the church sanctuary and is used frequently for worship services, rehearsals, concerts, and recordings.