SHENENDEHOWA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, CLIFTON PARK, NY
In 1997, Shenendehowa UMC was seeking a new organ with pipes and a custom pipe façade. However, there was very limited space for pipes. The solution was a new Allen Renaissance organ with 6 ranks of pipes and 51 digital ranks.
FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF SCOTIA, SCOTIA, NY
First Reformed Church of Scotia embarked on a search for a new organ in 2012. Their pipe organ needed extensive repairs. It was too small to provide adequate sound for the sanctuary. There was no space available for additional pipes.
The solution was the June Selke Memorial Organ, installed in July, 2013. This versatile instrument is a custom Allen hybrid organ consisting of 4 manuals and 132 ranks (5 pipe, 127 digital). It has the power to support congregational singing and the tonal colors to play organ music of many different eras and styles. In particular, it contains suites to mimic the tonal styles of: Allen Classic (eclectic American), Aeolian-Skinner, French Romantic (Cavaillé-Coll), English Cathedral, North German Baroque (Arp Schnitger), and American Neo-Baroque (Schlicker).
Justan Foster, the organist at the time of the installation, wrote: “Part of the reason that we settled on a hybrid was the symbolic way in which it reflected our congregation: pipes —both reincorporated and newly designed — to reaffirm our traditions, and digital ranks for additional resources to enhance our worship for the many years yet to come. Again, I (we) say kudos … on a magnificent instrument that will serve the next generation(s) in our journey of faith.”
ST. LUKE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, SCHENECTADY, NY
The pipe organ at St. Luke’s needed significant repairs that would require rebuilding its console and replacing the console control system. The cost to do so approached the cost of a new Allen console.
By essentially replacing their console with an Allen, a hybrid organ was created using 15 of St. Luke’s existing ranks of pipes and an additional 32 digital ranks. To add even more tonal options, this instrument includes Allen’s six classic suites of digital sounds and their three theater organ suites.
This versatile instrument was installed in 2022. It fills the space with glorious sound and will serve St. Luke’s well for many years to come.
ST. ALEXANDER’S CHURCH, MORRISONVILLE, NY
St. Alexander’s church had always wanted to have a pipe organ. However, there was limited space for pipes. In 2020, they replaced their 1980s Allen digital organ with a custom-built Allen hybrid organ.
Six ranks of new pipes provide a strong foundational sound for the organ, complemented by 32 ranks of digital voices. The six Allen classical suites provide even more variety of tonal color.
ST. AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH, PERU, NY
St. Augustine’s church had a pipe organ that was too small for the space and inadequately designed. After the success of the hybrid installation at their sister church, St. Alexander’s, they installed a similar instrument in 2023.
Five of the existing pipe ranks were re-used and two new ones were added, along with 32 digital ranks. The tonal colors are further extended by Allen suites: six classical and three theater organ.
ST. KATERI TEKAKWITHA PARISH-UNION STREET, SCHENECTADY, NY
The pipe organ at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish (Union Street) had reached a point where work was needed on it and the console was beginning to fail. The small instrument was unable to properly support the vibrant congregational singing at the liturgies.
The solution was a custom Allen hybrid organ with a total of 82 ranks, including 13 ranks of pipes repurposed from the existing organ and two ranks of new pipes. Three of the Allen classic suites provide even more options for tonal color. The organ was installed in early 2024.