St. Theresa’s is blessed to have two fine organs: a three-manual Peragallo in the French Romantic style at the liturgical east end, and a two-manual mechanical action organ by Roche in the Choir Loft.
The Peragallo Organ
The Peragallo organ is of three manual and pedals, containing 38 ranks of pipework with a total of 2296 speaking pipes. With tonal design by John Peragallo III, the outstanding placement of the organ casework on the central axis of the church projects the tonal resources of the instrument evenly and effectively throughout the nave.
The Grand-Orgue is positioned high in the casework. In addition to the rich diapason chorus there is a complete Cornet décomposé. A Flûte Harmonique, scaled in the Cavaille-Coll tradition, provides a beautiful solo voice while the chorus reeds cap the division. The Postif is enclosed in the lower left portion of the casework, and includes a secondary diapason chorus. The Flutes Celestes provide a soft velvety quality so useful in worship. The Récit is located in the lower right side of the casework, nearest the console. Large pomposa-scaled strings and a full reed chorus provide both warmth and power. The Pédale piperwork is within and directly behind the facade and is supplemented by a small number of digitally sampled stops for reasons of space.
The jewel in the crown is the Trompette en-chamade, a set of flared reeds located high in the casework, above the baldacchino. The majestic casework – the design of Frank Peragallo – provides a striking backdrop to the High Altar. It is of finished red oak with hand-carved pipe shades inspired by elements of the filial crown of the baldacchino.
Renovation work is planned to take place in the near future. This will include updating the 25-year-old electrical components, refurbishment of the console, and some sympathetic revoicing.
Sweet Tremulant
Strong Tremulant
Roche Organ Co. Inc.
Taunton, Mass.
Op. 18, 1981
The Roche Organ
The organ in the Choir Loft was built by the Roche, a Massachusetts-based firm operating from 1967 to the early 2000s. Constructed in 1981, St. Theresa’s is the instrument’s third home (or possibly fourth – see below). It is in the Baroque style, with 14 ranks over 2-manuals and pedals under mechanical action.
Thanks to the generosity of the congregation at St. Theresa’s, the organ was installed here in 2020, at which time the organ was enlarged and revoiced by Stefan Maier and Aymeric Dupré la Tour (Organist, 2016-2022).
The organ has been expertly voiced for its new environment. The 8’ stops are particularly beautiful, and the Echo chorus (8’, 4’, 2’) pings around the church.
Pedal
- Subbass 16
- Principal 8**
- Bassoon 16**
- Echo to Pedal
- Great to Pedal
Echo
- Stopped Flute 8
- Spire Flute 4
- Principal 2
- Sesquialtera II*
- Octave I*
Great
- Principal 8
- Chimney Flute 8
- Octave 4
- Dulcian 8**
- Mixture IV
- Trumpet 8**
* Added in 1999 by the Odell Organ Co. of East Hampton, CT.
** Added in 2020 by Stefan Maier Tracker Organs.
Further History
The organ was installed in the Howland Chapel at United Congregational Church, Bridgeport, in 1999, obtained from the Organ Clearing House. When United Congregational Church closed, the organ was purchased by St. Theresa’s.
Regarding its earlier history, one source says it was built for St Mary’s Episcopal Church, East Providence, R.I, whilst another source says it was “for a Catholic church in Providence, R.I.”. The Magnificat stenciling above the console certainly suggests it was originally built for a Catholic Church, but, at the time of writing, the information is inconclusive.
For more information or to support the maintenance of our beautiful organs:
Please contact us below or call Alex Hodgkinson, our Director of Music at (203) 261-3676.