It's an anniversary!
Möller Organ Sees 70th Year

It is time to celebrate the faithful work of part of the St. Mark's family that makes the widest variety of sound. It is the seventieth anniversary of our organ that was built by the Möller Organ Company in 1939.  For the past seventy years our magnificent organ has inspired and made possible the wonderful music that has been at the heart of our worship services, special events, weddings, funerals, concerts and a variety of other occasions.

The original Möller was installed in the old church in 1939 during the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. J. Ray Houser and was removed in April of 1959 to the Möller factory in Hagerstown, Maryland in order to be completely redesigned and rebuilt for the new church. The console was also rebuilt and refinished in blond oak and mounted on a moveable platform for use in concerts and other musical programs.

When you listen to the beautiful music that emanates from the instrument, you can easily forget the very intricate system of pipes that make it possible. The chancel organ comprises the four main divisions in a chamber 41 feet wide, 28 feet high at its apex and 9 feet deep. Two of the organ divisions are enclosed with shades or shutters which permit control of the tone.

The 2682 pipes in the organ are given voice by air blown into large reservoirs by an electric blower located in the church basement. Each of the 75 stops and 19 couplers which are arranged around the organist at the console control a rank of pipes (32 or 73 pipes per rank) or one of the many mechanical devices such as sub, super or unison couplers which make the modern organ so flexible. Under the manuals are located 37 pistons, as well as 18 more over the pedal keyboard which provide an infinite variety of tonal changes at the touch of a finger or a foot.

During those seven decades just two men have served St. Mark’s as organist and choir director. Frederick A. Snell in the early years and Richard J. Lakey for the last many years.  Indeed, in April 2007, Mr. Lakey was recognized for his 30 years of service.

The sounds of the notes coming from our unique console, the wonderful acoustics of our nave and the exceptional talents of our organists, past and present have help all of us at St. Mark’s to “sing to the Lord” and inspire our worship for many years in the past and with God’s help for years to come.

To commemorate the anniversary, St. Mark's is in the middle of a month-long celebration of this musical treasure in the heart of Williamsport. On each of the past three Sundays, Mr. Lakey has played one or more of the longer compositions by J.S. Bach, some of the premier works for organ: the Toccata and Fugue in d minor on September 6, the g minor Fugue on September 13, and the Toccata, Adagio and Fugue on September 20, 2009. In addition, the service on September 13 concluded with the Westminster Carillon of Louis Vierne, a grand work. The Prelude and Fugue in D major will be performed on September 27.

On September 27 a brief program following the service featured a video of the interior of the organ, the parts that no one gets to see because they are behind the east wall of the chancel. The organ is a large and marvelous instrument, one of the most complex things ever made by man before recent times. Mr. Lakey assisted with demonstration of how the instrument is operated.  See the video.

Related articles:

• "A Brief History of 25 Years of the Ministry of Music" pamphlet - 1962
• Organ Screen Plaques
• See the video tour - inside the organ.