The Story
The story of the Pasadena Community Church Organ
With pipes that range from the size of a pencil to 16 feet in height, our organ was one of Moller’s finest instruments.
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.
It retains the best of the past: cohesive English-style principal choruses, and orchestral and solo colors associated with the American symphonic style. An English Horn, and a luxurious complement of celestes, meant to imitate orchestral winds and strings, augment the favored percussive harp, chimes, and zimbelstern.
With the best features of the classical and romantic styles, the organ was a celebrated success. Virgil Fox remains chief among organists to have performed at Pasadena in the last century.
A showpiece, our beloved organ represents the finest of American ingenuity and workmanship. It enjoys a prominent place in the history of American organ building, and the ongoing ministry of Pasadena Community Church
Restoring this magnificent instrument is a way of honoring PCC’s history, honoring the gifts of generations that came before us and it is an investment in our vision that PCC will endure for generations to come. We also believe that this instrument will become a centerpiece attraction for music lovers to come and experience Pasadena Community Church. We envision the restored organ will anchor community concerts and artist events.
“The Church knew what the psalmist knew: Music praises God. Music is well or better able to praise him than the building of the church and all its decoration; it is the Church’s greatest ornament.”
– Igor Stravinsky