First Congregational Church of Hudson

The Wilhelm Organ

The Sanctuary Organ at First Congregational Church was installed in November 1991. It was designed and constructed by the firm of Karl Wilhelm, Inc. of Mt. St.-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada. It is his Opus 124.

This organ displays characteristics of the classic organs developed in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. The pipe work sits inside a thin-walled wooden case which blends and projects the sounds of the pipes. The organ has four divisions, corresponding to the three manual keyboards and the pedal keyboard. They are called the Great, Swell, Positiv, and Pedal divisions. Each of the four divisions is a separate and complete instrument with its own area in the case. The manual divisions are vertically stacked in the case, while the pedal division is split into two towers on either side. The largest principal pipes of each division (except the Positiv) are placed in the facade of the organ. Carved pipeshades above the facade pipes help blend the sounds of high and low pitches.

The ornamental carvings in front of the Positiv division were done by the mastercarver, Jean Dutin. They represent the four beasts from this quote in Revelations 4:6-11, reminding us that our joy and duty in worship is to praise God (which we do with the help of this instrument).

"And round about the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal; and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: And they rest not day and night, saying, 'holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is to come', And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 'Thou are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power; for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.'"

Download a copy of the Organ Stoplist. Click here.