Noack Organ, Opus 108 (1987)
Richard Proulx, Consultant
Lincoln Pipe Organs & Halbert Gober Organs
Renovated and Restored 2020
Great
- Bourdon 16′
- Diapason 8′
- Second Diapason 8′
- Chimney Flute 8′
- Octave 4′
- Octave 2′
- Mixture IV-VI 1 1/3′
- Trumpet 8′
Positive
- Stopt Flute 8′
- Principal 4′
- Recorder 4′
- Twelfth 2 2/3′
- Night Horn 2′
- Seventeenth 1 3/5′
- Sharp III 1′
- Bassoon 16′
Swell
- Gedackt 8′
- Viola 8′
- Celeste 8′
- Principal 4′
- Harmonic Flute 4′
- Octave 2′
- Sesquialtera II 2 2/3
- Mixture IV 1′
- Dulzian 16′
- Oboe 8′
Pedal
- Bourdon 32’*
- Principal 16′
- Stopt Bass 16′
- Bourdon 16′ (ext. 32′)
- Open Bass 8′
- Persse Flute 8′
- Octave 4′
- Posaune 32’*
- Posaune 16′ (ext 32′)*
- Trombone 16′
- Trumpet 8′
37 stops
46 ranks
*Additions in 2020
Vintage pipes on electric action behind pedal towers
Cathedral Basilica of Saint John the Baptist Organ History
Henry Erben built the first organ for the former building (St. John Church) in 1834 and installed in 1837.
However, when St. John’s Catholic church purchased another organ, the Erben was given to the First African Baptist Church where it still resides, although no longer playable.
In 1850, the church became a cathedral when the new Diocese of Savannah was established. Then in 1856, a larger organ was desired and the Cathedral purchased the Goodrich organ built in 1820 for use by the Independent Presbyterian Church. This organ had been damaged in a hurricane in 1854. When Independent Presbyterian contracted with the Knauff Organ company for a new instrument, they sold the Goodrich to Mr. Knauff for $400. The organ was then rebuilt and sold to the Cathedral and eventually moved to the new building. The Goodrich continued in use until 1898 when it was destroyed in a fire.
The restored cathedral was dedicated on Sunday morning, October 28, 1900, complete with a new organ by John Brown. In 1912, the John Brown was converted to electric action and continued to be used until 1938, when it was considered unplayable and discarded.
From 1938-1987, music in the Cathedral was supplied by a succession of electronic substitutes.
By 1981, the Cathedral was in need of serious structural repair. Receding groundwater had weakened the timber foundation and the decision was made to restore the church to its 1912 condition. At the same time, it was decided to purchase a new pipe organ for the Cathedral. Dr. J Harry Persse, former head of the Music Department at Armstrong State University, assembled a committee to decide on a new organ. The committee selected Richard Proulx of Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago as the consultant. The committee chose the Noack Company of Massachusetts as the builders, having been familiar with the Noack recently installed at Wesley Monumental Church. The organ was dedicated in 1987 by Sr. Mary Jane Wagner of St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Milwaukee.
In 2020, Lincoln Pipe Organs and Halbert Gober were enlisted to remedy various mechanical, structural, and tonal issues. The tonal scheme of the organ was broadened by the addition of two 32-foot registers in the pedal.
The Walker continuo organ, formerly owned by the Pontifical College Josephinum, was also acquired in 2020 through the generosity of the Friends of Cathedral Music, the Boland-Schreck Music Fund, and generous donors. It is used regularly with orchestra and for small liturgical events in the Cathedral and Regina Coeli Hall.
The Andover practice organ was installed in the Choir Room in 2023. Designed as a practice organ for students at the University of Northern Oklahoma, the Andover is used daily by the organists during tourist hours in the Cathedral. It was purchased through the generosity of the Friends of Cathedral Music and the Boland-Schreck Music Fund.
