Project 48

The Hilborne L. Roosevelt Organ (No. 32) is a beautiful 5 rank mechanical action organ with a single manual and pedal. Built in 1879, the Roosevelt Opus List Catalog lists No. 32 as “For Renting.” After serving in this capacity for several years, it was purchased by the First Presbyterian Church of Charlottesville, Virginia, for $1,000. In 1902, the church purchased a new organ from Adam Stein (of Baltimore). The total cost for the new instrument was $3,000, and as part of the agreement, Mr. Stein was to take the Roosevelt organ in trade. Before the Roosevelt organ could be removed, a member of the congregation purchased it from Mr. Stein and then donated the organ back to the Church and was subsequently moved to the Lecture Room.

Years later, the Church purchased a piano for the Lecture Room, the organ was sold to the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Charlottesville. The organ was installed there and—according to church records—its “melodious sound and aesthetic beauty […} was enjoyed for years.” During the 1970’s the church purchased a new organ.

Roosevelt No. 32 eventually ended up at the New Salem Baptist Church in Syracuse, NY. In 2000, Parsons took the instrument in trade for a Hammond organ. The organ was in disrepair when removed from Syracuse and in need of restoration.

At the time the instrument was believed to have been built by W.L. Royall. The original nameplate was missing and because the Royall name was stamped on some of the pipes, someone had created a nameplate listing Royall as the builder. During the restoration process, several other names were found inscribed on various pipes. All of these names including “Royall” are known to have worked for Roosevelt. This as well as several Construction details led us to attribute the organ to Roosevelt.

Parsons completed the restoration in 2018. In 2019 the organ was given a new home at the Chapel of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, New York City.