The Organ at Trinity Episcopal Church
R. David Huggins, Organist
Prior to 1887, Trinity�s musical needs were met by a large Mason and Hamlin organ which was purchased for the sum of $800. That instrument, a reed organ, served the congregation until 1887, when a new pipe organ was ordered from Hook and Hastings at a cost of $1,700.

Hook and Hastings of Boston was a prominent and respected organ building firm in the 19th century. Trinity�s organ was a Model 8. The photo below at right shows a Model 8 from a Hook and Hastings brochure printed in 1881 and is used here with the kind permission of The Organ Historical Society. The organ had thirteen stops, 595 pipes, and eighteen registers. It is described in the brochure as having front pipes richly ornamented in gold and colors. The organ was at first located on the right (east) side of the nave and was later moved to the west transept (photo top right) where it remained in use until 1939.
On February 14, 1939, a contract was signed with the M. P. M�ller firm of Hagerstown, Maryland for a new pipe organ of twelve ranks, yielding twenty-one stops, to be built and installed in the chancel for a sum of $3,500. The photos at top left and above, ca. 1940, show the chancel with that organ complete and the detail of  the exposed pipes on the west side of the chancel. Many pipes from the Hook and Hastings organ were retained and used in that organ.

Trinity again contracted with the M. P. M�ller company on January 26, 1978 to enlarge and rebuild the 1939 organ. This is the instrument serving Trinity today (right) and is the one heard on these CDs. Some pipes from the previous organ were again retained and used in this new instrument. The 1939 console, although modified, was preserved, including the two manuals with ivory naturals and ebony sharps.

The superb acoustics of Trinity church provide an excellent environment for this organ to be heard. Trinity has had an admirable history of fine organs which have provided the foundation for music in worship and enrichment of the life of the congregation and the community. Soli Deo Gloria.
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