The Organ

Look to the left to see the organ console. It was built in 1847, originally for the third church, and moved here when the fourth church was built. Much of the original pipework was retained when the M P Moller Company enlarged it in 1922, but many of the wooden pipes had deteriorated. In the 1970s and 80s, many enhancements and expansions were done. In 1991, Goulding & Wood totally renovated the organ.

The organ has 4 manuals (or keyboards) plus pedals. There are 94 ranks. A “rank” is a group of pipes that all have the same sound. They can be combined in different ways using “stops.” All the knobs you see to the right and left of the manuals are used by the organist to change the sound of the organ; trumpet, flute, bell, and string sounds, and many more may be heard from the organ. Think of the organ as the first synthesizer!

The sound doesn’t come from here, though. We’ll see where it comes from in a few minutes.

Since its founding, music has been important at Christ Church. In 1838, Bishop Kemper, Missionary Bishop of the Northwest, visited New Orleans. Of the music at Christ Church, he said: “The music was admirable – superior I think to any I ever heard before in a church.”

Music remains important at Christ Church. The choir, a group of both professionals and volunteers, sings at Sunday and special services for most of the year, and the organ is used weekly.

 At the end of this aisle, on the right, is the sacristy, where clergy don vestments for services, and the Altar Guild stores and maintains many of the beautiful articles of liturgical worship.

Ok, now go back down the stairs and across the “crossing” to the other side of the church. Pass the main aisle and stop at the steps going up to your right.