First United Methodist Church of London
London, OH
3/28 Johnson & Son / Muller
Opus 814 - 1894/2010

Photos of the Console

Click on the photo to see a larger image

	The console sits in the front of the room and can be moved around the altar area. The console can take a beating over the years, and this is this instrument's fourth console. The original Johnson & Son console lasted until 1959 and was replaced by local organ builder Henry J. Durthaler during a rebuilding of the instrument. The Durthaler console lasted until 1988 when Schantz Organ replaced it as part of their rebuild of the instrument.
	This console has three manuals (keyboards), each representing a division of the organ. The divisions can be coupled together by using the couplers (tablets) across the top of the console. Some organs will also allow divisions to be switched (ex: play the Great Division on the Swell Division manual).
	Here is a closer view of the manual area of the console. The coupler tablets across the top allow parts (or all) of a division to be coupled to other divisions. The buttons are called thumb pistons and are used to preset registrations, allowing the organist to quickly change registrations during a piece. The > button is the sequencer to move "forward" in the sequence of saved registrations. This is used for long pieces which may require dozens of registration changes.
	This photo shows a better view of some of the couplers, as well as the classy analog clock, which is a replica from a classic automobile.

On either side we see the draw knobs of the divisions for instrument. Each knob is a stop and controls a part of the instrument. Most knobs are marked with a rank name and a pitch (Octave 8'). Some knobs are divisional couplers (Great 16'), and others control other parts of the instrument (Tremolo, Chimes).  The layout of the draw knobs is often done in such a way to make it easier for the organist to pull stops commonly used together.

	Down below we see the pedal board and related accessories. This pedalboard is shaped so the pedals on the end are slightly higher, making it a little easier for the organist to reach the pedals on the end. In the middle are the expression shoes which control the shutters for the Great and Swell chambers, and the Crescendo shoe (right shoe). The Crescendo is used to quickly add stops without changing the registration. On either side of the shoes are toe pistons which act the same as the thumb pistons on the manuals, allowing the organist to preset registrations. On the top level far right is the toe piston for Sforzando (full organ), and on the bottom row on the right is the toe piston for the Zimbelstern.
	The core of the organ might be over 100 years old, but it has some 21st century technology. The Peterson Organ Control System allows the organist to set multiple levels of memories, program sequences, record playing and play it back, and the list goes on and on. Almost all new organs today have some sort of computer controlled system.
	The builder's plate installed by Muller Pipe Organ on the current console pays homage to the original builder, WM Johnson & Son Organ Company. The plate also notes key changes made to the instrument by Muller.

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First United Methodist Church - 3/28 Johnson & Son / Muller Pipe Organ

Main Page

Great Division

Swell Division

Antiphonal Division

Pedal Division

Console

Other Photos

Stop List