The new Muller pipe organ at First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Ohio replaces a 1930 M.P. Möller instrument, Opus 5759. The Möller had been moved from the former sanctuary and enlarged on two occasions. The new organ, drawing from 23 ranks across two manuals and pedal, affords a greater level of flexibility to the music program of the church.
The organ has excellent tonal projection from tall and wide tone openings and extremely shallow chambers. Designed for maximum flexibility, it boasts a complete principal chorus in both the Great and Ped
al, and a smaller chorus in the Swell. The Swell features a flute-based Cornet, warm strings, and articulate flutes. A glimmering 3-rank Mixture adds sparkle to the reed chorus, or can complete the chorus of the Swell. Both reed stops on the organ are located in the Swell, but are playable in the Great at 8' to allow for accompaniment of the solo stops from either division, and to gain the ability to use them in the chorus in either division.
The console was handcrafted by Muller and matches the church furnishings with its colonial style painted cabinet and mahogany accents. The console features drawknob stop and tilting tablet coupler controls, and a 25-level solid-state combination action with multiplex switching.
Once a source of frustration for the church, the new organ is now a source of pride. The organ allows a diverse repertoire to be played, and provides better support for the choirs and congregational singing.
First Presbyterian Church
Lancaster, Ohio
