St Luke's Episcopal Church
Marianna, Florida
Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
The Rt. Rev. Philip M. Duncan II, Bishop
The Rev. Norman Bray, Pastor

The A. David Moore Organ

St. Luke's pipe organ is the work of A. David Moore, Inc., a unique organization located in the beautiful green mountains of North Pomfret, Vermont. It is a craftsman's' shop, not an assembly line factory. Every operation is either done, or closely overseen by the owner, Mr. A. David Moore. Mr. Moore served his apprenticeship with the distinguished American organ builder, C. B. Fisk of Gloucester, Massachusetts. On two trips to Europe, he examined and studied in detail many of the finest old and new organs there. He has consulted with many of the most prominent organ builders in Europe and North America, and has applied their knowledge to his craft. In addition to Mr. Moore, five other craftsmen associated with the company made significant contributions to St. Luke's new instrument. They are: Bob Waters, Andy Smith, Bryon Cole, Dale Harrington, and Clinton Cole.

The magnificent hand carvings, featured as pipe shades on the front of the case, are the work of Ann Fisk. Mrs. Fisk has incorporated various Florida animals into the finished bass wood masterpieces. Upon close scrutiny, one will recognize the sea turtle, porpoise, sea horse, starfish, fox, and armadillo.

Many components, and other factors, contribute to the sound of this organ. Mechanical (tracker) action gives the player direct control over the speech of the organ pipes. Tracker action depends upon no electricity. The keys are connected to the pipe valves by direct mechanical linkage. Significantly, this system has been in use for well over a thousand years. In recent years, electric action became popular, but now it is recognized that the simplicity of the original tracker action is a most desirable quality. There is one reservoir for the entire organ. The wind is supplied by a Meidinger blower, delivering a pressure of 3 inches to the windchests. The casework is of oiled butternut, and the frontal pipes are of hammered lead alloy, The keydesk and bench are made of cherry. The keyboards, made by Bryon Cole, are fashion from white pine taken from collected wooden organ pipes over a century old. The natural keys are capped with animal bone, and the sharp keys are made of grenadil.

 

Stop List

 Great: 56 Notes CC-g3 
Praestant8'
Bourdon8'
Octave4'
MixtureIII/2'
CymbalII
SesquialteraIII/2 2/3'
Trumpet8'
Tremolo
Swell: 56 notes CC-g3
Chimney Flute8'
Spire Flute4'
Fifteenth2'
Larigot1 1/3'
Vox Humana8'

 

 

 

  Pedal: 30 Notes CC-fl  
Bourdon16'
Flute8'
Octave4'
Posaune16'
Couplers
      Swell to Great        
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal

 

The entire set of specifications comprises 16 stops, 20 ranks, and 1,021 pipes. The tuning is, a well-tempered system after the fashion of Aron Neidhart. The building of this fine instrument was made possible entirely through a gift from Violet H. McLendon. The Wardens, Vestry, Rector, and Congregation of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, will be forever grateful. The cost of preparation of the organ room which houses the pedal pipes was paid through a gift from Mr. and Mrs. John Sherrel and Sherrel Construction Company.

Back to Homepage
Last update 08/12/07
image

This Site Design And Maintained by Doug Melvin Comments And Suggestion Welcome.
Copyright © Doug Melvin All Rights Reserved