Barnes Memorial Organ

The 1930 M. P. Moller/Barnes-Epworth Memorial Organ, Opus 5881

The Organ was built in 1930 by the M. P. Moller Organ Company of Hagerstown, Maryland, as their opus 5881. The contract is dated 23 July 1930 and signed by its donors, William H. Barnes, Harold O. Barnes, and Mrs. Nettie A. Barnes. It was given as a memorial to their father and husband, Charles Osborn Barnes, who was a trustee of Epworth until his death in 10 December 1915. The instrument was dedicated on Sunday, 15 February 1931.

The Organ has 1494 pipes comprising 25 ranks. It is in original condition with the only change known being the Cornopean (Choir), Trumpet (Swell), and Clarinet (Great) having been switched. The below stop list shows their current placements. Of historical interest, this instrument is believed to be perhaps the only unaltered instrument that Dr. William H. Barnes designed, purchased, and oversaw it's tonal finishing. His handwriting is noted to be on the original contract from The Moller Company showing changes made in the instrument after the final draft was drawn.

Dr. Barnes was well known authority and designed of several hundred pipe organs during his lifetime. Many of these instruments were composite organs meaning that used previously existing organ part to create new instruments. He was also a noted and respected author on American pipe organ building from the 1930's with The Contemporary American Organ and Two Centuries of American Organ Building being printed numerous times.

The instrument has an interesting arrangement as there are two consoles associated with it. The first console is located in the Sanctuary and has three manuals with drawknobs. All of the pipes are enclosed in three separate chambers with the pedal organ being divided amongst the three chambers. The second console is located in the Cree Memorial Chapel. It has two manuals with stop tongues and draws from the Choir chamber of the instrument. Other unique features are that all three chambers: Great, Swell, and Choir, are completely enclosed and the usage of a Daiphone.

In June of 2002, the Organ Historical Society held it's national convention Chicago. During this convention, Epworth was blessed by having Dr. John W. W. Sherer, Musical Director and Organist of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, perform an outstanding recital entitled Chicago Composers: Past and Present.

Epworth will host the closing recital for the Chicago-Midwest Chapter of the Organ Historical Society's convention. During the ceremony, a historical citation is to be issued to the Epworth congregation for the organ. With the citation, it is noted that the instrument will join with distinction eight organs in the city of Chicago and only three other instruments built by the Moeller Organ Company in the North America.


The Sanctuary Organ

The Chapel Organ - from the Choir division of the Main Organ