Villanova University, PA St. Thomas of Villanova Church – Villanova, Pennsylvania

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We are pleased to present our organs at St. Thomas Chapel, Villanova University. This challenging logistical environment required the installation of 2 instruments.

The Chapel of St. Thomas was constructed in 1883 in the Victorian Gothic style. A complete restoration of the building was completed in 1993.

The Gallery Instrument, a 1964 electro-pneumatic instrument constructed by a major U.S. organbuilder, and installed in another location on the campus, was used for this gallery location. In order to showcase this organ suitably, an historic case of unique prickly gothic white oak rescued from a defunct Philadelphia church, was enhanced and altered to fit before being refinished to match the interior woodwork of St. Thomas. A new Great Mixture, 16′ Principal addition, pedal extensions, and a prepared-for high pressure reed increase the tonal flexibility within this spatially-challenged balcony installation. This instrument with completion of prepared-for stops will comprise two manuals and 23 ranks that will fully support the congregational singing and the ornate grandeur of this wonderful space.

Great	Swell	Pedal
8′ Principal	16′ Lieblich Gedackt	32′ Subbass
8′ Hohlflute	8′ Geigen	16′ Contrabass
4′ Octave	8′ Rohrflute	16′ Subbass
4′ Spitzflute	8′ Salicional	8′ Octave
2 2/3′ Quint	8′ Celeste	8′ Subbass
2′ Super Octave	4′ Principal	4′ Choralbass
IV Mixture	4′ Rohrflute	32′ Posaune (prep.)
16′ Oboe t.c.	2′ Rohrflute	16′ Bombard (prep.)
8′ Trumpet	1 1/3′ Flute	16′ Contra Trumpet
8′ Bombard (prep.)	III Plein Jeu	8′ Trumpet
	16′ Contra Trumpet	4′ Clarion
	8′ Trumpet
	8′ Oboe
	4′ Clarion

 

 

A new Chancel instrument, was designed and built with 7 unified ranks and is fully enclosed within an oak case, designed and constructed in our shops, and located over the existing apse doorway. With limited space, budget, and the need to be able to walk under the Chancel instrument, this situation required custom structural steel framing so that the handicap walk area and choir walkways are not obstructed. The console was rebuilt with a new Peterson multi-level, solid state combination action which is controlling both Gallery and Chancel Divisions. Most sincere thanks go out to Organist Don Gianella for his diligent and unflagging support of this project.

Manual I	Manual II	Pedal
8′ Principal	8′ Rohrflute	16′ Bourdon
8′ Bourdon	8′ Gemshorn	8′ Principal
8′ Gemshorn	8′ Celeste	8′ Bourdon
4′ Octave	4′ Principal	8′ Gemshorn
4′ Flute	4′ Bourdon	4′ Choralbass
2′ Flute	2′ Principal	16′ Oboe
8′ Oboe	8′ Oboe	I to Ped
II to I	MIDI	II to Ped
MIDI
Analysis
16′ Bourdon	73 pipes 1-12 electronic
8′ Principal	73 pipes
8′ Gemshorn	61 pipes
8′ Gemshorn Celeste	49 pipes
4′ Octave	73 pipes
4′ Flute	73 pipes
16′ Oboe	61 pipes 1-12 electronic