St. Cecilia Pipe Organ
In many churches the organ has held a place of honor for centuries. It is the church’s instrumental voice, proclaiming the word in music and supporting the ongoing song of praise offered by the people of God. The St. Cecilia pipe organ of the Church of the Transfiguration was designed to be as integrally wed to the liturgy as it is molded into the architecture of the building itself.
The organ sits over the two side aisles where mahogany cases hold pipes of wood and metal ranging from six inches to thirty-two feet in length (the smallest is the size of a straw, the largest as big around as a phone booth). Built by Nelson Barden & Associates of Boston, MA, it is a restoration and expansion of components from a number of 20th century organs of the E.M. Skinner Organ company, as well as some components of other early 20th century orchestral organs of the same vintage. Containing 185 ranks and 11,964 pipes, the organ’s unique location allows its sounds to be specifically directed so as to fill the entire space, and even to “move in procession” with the various liturgical actions taking place on the floor. Consistent with the artwork in the church, the rich variety of sounds and voices it can create gives it the ability to “speak” a multitude of musical languages in prayer and praise to God.