Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1202 and 1203
The Christian Science Center in Boston is a multi-acre campus centered around a large reflecting pool. The Original Edifice, completed in 1887, and the adjacent Extension Church together house two significant pipe organs that function as part of an integrated musical system.
Original Edifice Organ (Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1202)
Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1202, built circa 1950, is a 45-rank instrument housed in the Original Edifice. The console shell incorporates elements of the original Ferrand and Votey organ. In 1997, Foley-Baker was contracted to remove and recondition the instrument.
Work included complete releathering, thorough cleaning of the organ and chambers, and upgrades to the existing SSL electronic relay system. The instrument is also playable from the console of Opus 1203 in the adjacent Extension Church, allowing shared control between the two organs.
Extension Church Organ (Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1203)
The Extension Church houses the larger Skinner organ, later expanded by Aeolian-Skinner, comprising 235 ranks. In the late 1990s, Foley-Baker undertook a multi-year reconditioning that required removal of most of the instrument from the building.
Work included:
- releathering of all components
- removal, washing, and re-collaring of pipes
- rebuilding of reed stops
- cleaning and refinishing of structural woodwork
- replacement of valves
- upgrades to the relay system
- rebuilding of the 30-horsepower Spencer blower motor
Despite its scale and significance, the organ had suffered from extensive tonal alterations over time. Under the direction of Lawrence Phelps, who originally designed the instrument in 1952, the project aimed to recover its structural and tonal integrity while modernizing reliability.
Let’s Preserve Your Pipe Organ
Whether you are planning a reconditioning or addressing tuning and mechanical issues, Foley-Baker provides expert guidance from assessment through completion. We'd love to hear from you.