The members and friends of Second Congregational Church are truly blessed to have such lovely facilities in which to worship and hold parish events. Our beautiful, accessible sanctuary, spacious parish hall, and up-to-date kitchen and restrooms are a source of pride. Another source of pride is our original Steer and Turner tracker pipe organ. As soon as you enter the sanctuary of our church, your eyes are drawn to the large gold-toned pipes and the wooden screen on the front wall. Hidden behind a lower wall is the organ console, from which at least 27 organists have provided music for us since 1870. Many generations of worshippers have enjoyed that organ music. We are also blessed today to have a talented organist and choir director, one who loves the instrument and understands it, Patricia Cauchon.
What is a Tracker Organ?
A “tracker” organ is one in which the keys on the manual and foot pedals are connected directly, by a mechanical link, to the valves that allow air into the pipes. The organ was built and installed by John W. Steer and George W. Turner of Westfield, MA, during the pastorate of the Rev. Daniel E. Adams, at a cost of $1500.00. It is interesting (and important) to note that we have one of the few remaining tracker organs with its original pipe ranks still in place, just as they were designed and placed there by Messrs. Steer and Turner. No pipes have been replaced. It is a unique and precious part of our church.
The organ was first played publicly on December 1, 1870, and was first used for a worship service on December 3, 1870. The organist was William Abbot. The church building itself would have been quite new in 1870, having been completed in 1852. The organ was electrified in 1936. Until then, air pressure to the pipes was provided by a bellows, which had to be pumped by hand, usually by a young man from the congregation. The last person to perform that office was Harold Jowders, who continued to show his love of music by being a faithful choir member for many years. The bellows are still there and can be seen by going behind the wooden screen to the right of the organ. Many, if not all, of the young men who pumped the bellows, left their names on the walls behind the screen. Ask one of the trustees to show them to you!
150th Anniversary Celebration
As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the organ this year, our organ needs some extra TLC. The balance left to raise toward our goal of $11,000 for the refurbishment of our organ. is $5,157.55. We hope you will consider giving a donation. We have someone who has offered to match any donations we receive, making your contribution go twice as far. Please send your gift to the church at PO Box 246, Wilton NH 03086, with Organ Fund on the memo line. (Or you may bring it to worship, appropriately labeled.)
Working together, we can keep the music coming. Thank you!