March 18, 2016, marked an important milestone in the history of the pipe organ in Chicago. Chicago was founded in 1837, and the first traceable organ was installed in the city that same year by Henry Erben of New York City, in St. James Episcopal Church (now the Cathedral). Nearly 180 years later, the largest organ in the city was dedicated in concert just a few short blocks away at historic Fourth Presbyterian Church.
Patrick J. Murphy & Associates in Stowe, Pennsylvania, recently completed a major renovation of the organ at Church of the Covenant, Scranton, Pennsylvania. The 3-manual, 37-stop, 56-rank instrument recasts the existing 1960s-era Schlicker with a new Swell division, revoiced Great and Positive fluework, new chorus reeds throughout, and a new PJM Signature console.
