Paul Jacobs dedicates new organ by Patrick J. Murphy & Associates

Patrick Murphy renovation

New Organs

Patrick J. Murphy & Associates, Inc., Stowe, Pennsylvania

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church,

Carnegie, Pennsylvania

Patrick J. Murphy & Associates, Inc., Stowe, Pennsylvania

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Roman Catholic Church,

Carnegie, Pennsylvania

In 1992 the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh merged five Carnegie-area parishes into one new parish named for the first American-born saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton. For twelve years, the new parish continued to use three of the six church buildings belonging to its predecessor parishes. In 2004, a flood stemming from the coincidence of Hurricanes Frances and Ivan rendered two of those remaining churches unusable. The parish took the opportunity to consolidate its operations to one facility, the former St. Luke Church, an 1881 church building associated with Civil War-era Irish immigrants. The outer shell of the building was retained, with new worship and office spaces built into it, combining many treasured elements and furnishings from the merged congregations.

Continuing in that spirit, the new Patrick J. Murphy & Associates pipe organ combines portions of the existing organ case with new, re-purposed pipes gathered from several previously existing organs, and provides new windchests, chassis, console, and control system.

Original renovation plans called for the rehabilitation of the pre-2004 organ, but this organ—already poorly reworked on multiple occasions—was damaged during its removal from the construction site and could not be saved. At the same time, in February 2011, the parish happened to be searching for a new music director, and ultimately hired Nicholas J. Will, then director of music at Altoona-Johnstown’s Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament.

Will immediately set about exploring possibilities for a new organ—not an easy task, given that the renovation/expansion project was underway, and important decisions, such as the shape of the sanctuary, had already been made. Will investigated several existing organs across North America, but ultimately opted to recommend a new organ. Upon further investigation, Will chose Patrick J. Murphy & Associates as the organbuilder who most closely shared his tonal vision for an organ sound that is rich, warm, and firmly rooted in the liturgical needs of the renovated church.

As the building construction concluded, Murphy & Associates deftly designed the new organ to fit within the tight space allocated. This organ’s 22 stops of carefully selected re-purposed pipework have been rescaled and voiced to engage the fine acoustic with a seamless buildup of well-balanced sound. The three-manual console, controlling two separate swell enclosures and three unenclosed stops, yields a specification of extraordinary flexibility for an instrument of this size. Uncompromising attention to the art of blending stops into choruses has produced an organ that retains an astonishing integrity through a wide variety of musical styles.

The musical quality and craftsmanship of the organ have already attracted the attention of classical music radio/television station WQED, as well as the music programs at regional schools Duquesne University, Franciscan University at Steubenville, and St. Vincent Seminary. The instrument will be formally dedicated with an organ and orchestra concert on October 20 and a celebration of the Mass in Extraordinary Form on October 23. Further information can be found at www.pjmorgans.com.

Fredrick Bahr, Tonal Director

Rev. David G. Poecking, Pastor

Nicholas J. Will, Director of Music

GREAT (enclosed)

16′ Bourdon (Ped & Chimney Flute)

8′ Principal*

8′ Diapason (Ped)

8′ Chimney Flute

8′ Viola da Gamba (Sw)

4′ Octave*

4′ Hohlflute

2′ Fifteenth