Grosse Pointe is an attractive suburb of Detroit, automobile capital of the United States. Its tree lined streets extend along the shore of Lake St Clair, close to the Canadian border. Christ Church was built in 1930, with seating for 500. The building was originally intended as the Lady Chapel of a large basilica, but this plan was never realised.
The church has a thriving musical tradition, under the direction of Frederic DeHaven. The two choirs (one with boy trebles and one with girls) make regular tours both within the United States and internationally.
The new organ is in a loft on the (liturgical) south side of the chancel. The casework of American Oak, designed by David Graebe to match the gothic style of the church, includes a pair of angel trumpeters. The console is in the choir stalls on the north side.
The specification features enhanced wind pressures for the Swell and Pedal reeds, giving the ensemble plenty of fire and energy, with a crowning Tuba on a pressure of ten inches.
PEDAL ORGAN
1. Open Diapason 16
2. Sub Bass 16
3. Bourdon (from Choir) 16
4. Quint 10 2/3
5. Principal 8
6. Flute 8
7. Fifteenth 4
8. Mixture IV
9. Trombone 16
10. Trumpet (from Swell) 16
11. Posaune 8
12. Clarion 4
I Choir to Pedal
II Great to Pedal
III Swell to Pedal
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CHOIR ORGAN
13. Bourdon 16
14. Open Diapason 8
15. Stopped Diapason 8
16. Principal 4
17. Open Flute 4
18. Nazard 2 2/3
19. Fifteenth 2
20. Flute 2
21. Tierce 1 3/5
22. Larigot 1 1/3
23. Mixture IV
24. Corno di Bassetto 8
IV Tremulant
25. Tuba 8
V Swell to Choir
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GREAT ORGAN
26. Double Diapason 16
27. Open Diapason 8
28. Harmonic Flute 8
29. Octave 4
30. Wald Flute 4
31. Twelfth 2 2/3
32. Fifteenth 2
33. Seventeenth 1 3/5
34. Mixture V
35. Trumpet 8
36. Clarion 4
VI Tremulant
37. Tuba (from Choir) 8
VII Choir to Great
VIII Swell to Great
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SWELL ORGAN
38. Geigen Diapason 8
39. Gedackt 8
40. Salicional 8
41. Céleste (F) 8
42. Principal 4
43. Stopped Flute 4
44. Flageolet 2
45. Mixture IV
46. Oboe 8
47. Double Trumpet 16
48. Trumpet 8
49. Clarion 4
IX Tremulant
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ACCESSORIES Eight general pistons (duplicated by foot pistons) Eight foot pistons to the Pedal Organ Eight pistons to the Choir Organ Eight pistons to the Great Organ Eight pistons to the Swell Organ Reversible pistons: I, II, III, V,VII, VIII Reversible foot pistons: II, VIII Reversible piston to Full Organ, with indicator General cancel piston Balanced expression pedal to the Swell Organ. The pistons are adjustable with 32 general and eight divisional memories. Combination Couples: Great and Pedal pistons Pedal to Swell pistons The actions are electro-pneumatic with slider chests and traditional wind reservoirs. |
The manual compass is 61 notes; the pedal 32 notes.
