Pasadena Community Church
Celebrate:
Pipe Organ Renovation Goal Reached
As of October 5, 2023, Pasadena Community Church reached its goal of raising $350,000 to renovate our beloved 1959 M.P. Moller pipe organ.
The donations will pay for the removal, renovation and reinstallation of the organ console and pipes.
This effort has been months in the making thanks to dedicated volunteers and generous donors. We anticipate the process of removing the pipes will begin in January and the renovation will take about a year.
In the meantime, a temporary replacement organ will be used in the sanctuary.
Soon, we will have news about a farewell concert to celebrate the sendoff of the organ to get it’s long overdue updates and facelift.
About this project
In the heart of Pasadena, the 1959 M. P. Moller pipe organ, captured in a 1960 Florida State Archives photo, was once a beacon of musical craftsmanship. Time, however, has left its mark. Key components have deteriorated, causing unpredictable sounds, and it no longer aligns with modern safety codes. The PipeUp Organ Restoration Project seeks to breathe new life into this cherished instrument, ensuring its harmonies continue to elevate our worship. With your support, we can reclaim its former glory.
The Need
Crafted in 1959, Pasadena’s M. P. Moller pipe organ, Opus 9258, stands as a beacon of past artistry. But time has left its mark. Today, many of its perishable components beckon for rejuvenation to ensure its melodious legacy endures for future generations.
The Renovation
You might be surprised to see the thousands upon thousands of wires and connectors, air ducts and processors that live out-of-sight behind the pipes. Here is a look behind the wall at some of the wiring that will be replaced with up-to-date wiring and connections.
The Story
After rebuilding the Aeolian-Skinner organ at New York City’s Saint Thomas Church, the M. P. Moller Company’s increasing prestige led Isabelle S. & Henry F. J. Knobloch to honor Pasadena with Opus 9258 in 1959.
1959 M. P. Moller pipe organ, Opus 9258
After rebuilding the Aeolian-Skinner organ at New York City’s Saint Thomas Church, the M. P. Moller Company’s increasing prestige led Isabelle S. & Henry F. J. Knobloch to honor Pasadena with Opus 9258 in 1959.
Number of Pipes
Number of Ranks
Divisions
Manuals
Stops
Registers
Major Support
Through the anonymity of a long time congregant, Pasadena Community Church has been blessed with a $200K designated gift by the Pearl Wallace Trust for the restoration of the organ. Without this foundation on which to build, PCC might never have envisioned it was possible to tackle such a challenge.
Pipe Organ Gallery
Our organ was designed by tonal director Ernest White, then parish musician of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in NYC. It is a shining example of the versatile “American Classic” style, combining brilliant French-style reeds with a modern emphasis on clarity.
From Our Church Members
See what our members have to say about the PCC Pipe Organ and what it means to them.
“I stand in the back of the church and look up at the beauty of the pipes as the organ sound fills the church…it is Awesome! Praise God for this glorious gift!”
“As a Blue Angel choir member, sitting below the Moller organ’s pipes, as Tim plays, is a visceral and transformative spiritual experience. Unforgettable!”
“The beautiful organ with the magnificent pipes are the signature architectural design features of the interior of Pasadena Community Church. They set the tone of grandeur even before the glorious music fills the sanctuary. This organ is truly a treasure that only a very few churches or facilities have the privilege of housing and is irreplaceable!”
“The sounds from our pipe organ bring the thoughts of God and Heaven to my soul.”
“I experienced the organ when it was first played in the sanctuary in 1960 (I was nine) and it has been the center of my worship here at PCC ever since.”
“I love the organ music. It reminds me of my childhood church memories.”
“Music has a magical way of bringing people together. I’m so excited to see our church lead a mission that is important to our entire community!”
“Music speaks the most universal of languages, one by which the soul is freely, yet indefinably moved; but it is then at home.”
– Robert Schumann