AGO members Cheryl and Tim Drewes will present the 1871 E. and G. G. Hook and Hastings organ at St Matthew-San Mateo Episcopal Church in Auburn, WA.

About the 1871 E. & G.G. Hook & Hastings, Op. 591

This 2-manual 10-stop organ was originally built for Chestnut Hill Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, PA. and moved to Christ Lutheran Church, Camden, NJ.  It was restored and moved to St. Matthew’s in 1999 by Patrick J. Murphy & Associates, Stowe, PA. The Swell oboe, which had been removed, was replaced with pipes from Johnson & Son Opus 572 (1882), and the pitch was lowered to A-440 from approximately A-450.

David Dahl adds the following description of this organ:

The organ has 10 independent registers and produces a bold colorful sound. Being one of the oldest organs in Washington, it has the unique feature of a “hitch-down” Swell, similar to that used by Cesar Frranc on the Cavaillé-Coll organ at St. Clotilde, Paris.
This modest sized organ is representative of the high art of American organ building of the mid 19th century.