Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

Seeking to know and love God in every person, here, now.

  • Welcome
    • News & Upcoming Events
    • Online Calendar
    • Visit SsAM on Facebook
    • eMail Sign Up
    • Welcome to SsAM Booklet
    • Worship at SsAM
    • Sunday Documents: Leaflet, Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
    • Our Unique Approach to Music and Liturgical Design
    • The use of Expansive (inclusive) Language at SsAM
    • News of Our City, Wilmington, Delaware
  • Who We Are
    • Diversity
    • Clergy
      • Rev. David Andrews
      • Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson
      • Rev. Emily Gibson
      • Rev. Peter Huiner
      • Rabbi in Residence Douglas E. Krantz
      • Sermons
    • Father David’s Blog
    • Vestry
      • Vestry Statements, Photos
      • Bernard Fisher, Treasurer, CPA
    • Vestry View
    • Staff
      • D-L Casson, Church Administrator
      • David Christopher, Music Director
    • Children’s Ministries
    • Youth & Young Families at SsAM
      • YYF Blog
    • Episcopal Church Women
    • Finance Committee
    • History of the Parish
      • History, Diocese of Delaware
      • History of Slavery in Delaware
      • History of Wilmington Garden Day
    • Member Photos
      • Photo & Video Archive
    • People Who Pray
  • What We Do
    • Services of Worship
      • Sunday Documents: Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
      • Baptisms
      • Weddings
        • Wedding Guidelines
        • Wedding Fees
      • Funerals
    • Children’s Chapel
    • Adult Education
    • Season of Creation
    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
    • Volunteer in the Community!
    • Art Slam at SsAM
    • Annual Reports
    • Website Maintenance
  • Get Involved
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Volunteer in the Community!
    • Volunteer at Worship!
    • Volunteer Behind The Scenes!
    • Caring For Creation
      • Local Food, Local Institutions
    • Invite Welcome Connect
    • Financial Contributions
    • Stewardship Posts
    • Pledge Form
    • Member Resources
  • Music
    • Choirs at SsAM
      • Choir Member Resources
    • Chorister Training Program
      • Chorister Advancement Levels
    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
    • Drumming Circle
    • Music Staff
      • David Christopher, Director of Music
      • The SsAM Staff Singers
      • Jonathan Whitney, Director of Drumming Circle and Artist in Residence
      • Tina Betz, Director of Children’s Chapel Music
      • Berna Holcomb, Music Librarian
    • Artists in Residence
      • Jonathan Whitney
      • Delaware ChoralArts
    • Our Approach to Music and Liturgical Design at SsAM
  • Katherine Esterly Organ
    • Organ Events 2019-2020
    • Friends of the KEO
    • DONATE and become a FRIEND of the Katherine Esterly Organ
    • Tonal Specifications
    • About the Organ Renovation Project
  • Contribute
  • Contact Us
    • Directions
You are here: Home / Choral Music at SsAM / Organ Renovation Project

Organ Renovation Project

SsAM, Organ, Katherine Esterly, Quimby Pipe Organs, Wilmington, Delaware, Episcopal, Church, Diversity, Music

The Katherine Esterly Organ

Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc.
Installation began in July of 2016
and was completed in 2017.

WAS THIS A RENOVATION OR A NEW ORGAN?

The SsAM organ project is a fairly radical renovation project that utilizes some pipe work from the organs of old St. Matthews and from old St. Andrews, which were both built by the M. P. Moller Co. in the mid-1940’s. Essentially, a new organ is being built that meets all design objectives while incorporating historic elements of the two instruments: approximately 8 ranks of pipes from the St. Andrews organ and 4 ranks from the St. Matthews organ.

THE CHALLENGES

There are a number of challenges in building an ideal organ for SsAM. Aside from the issue of finding the right design philosophy that can produce an instrument suitable for the wide range of musical styles suggested by the SsAM liturgies, the limited space requires that this be done with a limited number of pipes. With the current organ at 34 ranks, a new instrument housed in the same confined space would have difficulty providing the tonal and musical options that our parish needs.  Although many congregations are now effectively solving this issue with digital instruments or by adding digital divisions, the Organ Task Force, as well as the SsAM Vestry unanimously agreed that our preference is for a custom built pipe organ.  Another challenge was to find a builder who could embrace our unique musical customs and create a quality instrument that suits our space, musical requirements and budget limitations.

UNIQUE DESIGN CONCEPT

Considering the space limitations as well as challenges with regard to design strategy, some creative solutions were needed to fill such a tall order.  Many excellent designs were submitted by some of the leading organ builders, but Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc. of Warrensburg, Missouri was chosen as the builder.  Michael Quimby and his outstanding staff in collaboration with SsAM’s music director David Christopher have developed what we believe to be the perfect instrument for the church.  With the addition of a new organ chamber, increasing the size of the new instrument to 45 stops and using the most modern technology, David and Michael have devised a visionary instrument that we believe will meet all of the parish’s musical and liturgical needs.  The design strategy has at it’s core a classic instrument with well developed choruses of sound.  However, the addition of a few orchestral stops as well as placing the three main divisions under expression (Great, Swell and Choir) will expand the musical options beyond the scope of most traditional mid-size organs.  The new instrument with be particularly strong at supporting congregational singing, accompanying a wide range of choral repertoire, facilitating inspiring improvisations within the context of liturgy, providing continuo for early music, and serving as a dynamic and inspiring recital instrument. In other words, the new SsAM organ will  “step out of the box” much the same way that our parish in known for stepping out of the box spiritually, socially and liturgically.

Click here to see a stop list for the new instrument.  TONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Click here to learn more about  QUIMBY PIPE ORGANS, INC.

IMPORTANT SYMBOLISM OF THIS PROJECT

Perhaps the most important aspect of the new organ is that it serves as a symbol and critical milestone in the evolution of the parish. By taking the strongest elements from the organs of the two historic parishes of SsAM (St. Matthews and St. Andrews) and weaving them into a new and visionary entity, we give credibility and a sense of permanency to the successful union of these two churches. The project is enhanced with the addition of pipes from the Cathedral Church of St. John’s.  Every time the new instrument is used in worship or in concert, our hope is that it will serve as a reminder that God’s will can be realized against all odds. In our case, this means defying all of the statistics that surround the viability of creating a parish such as SsAM; one that is radically welcoming, yet intentionally diverse. It also means finding a new way to stay faithful to the principles behind traditional values, but in a way that allows the Holy Spirit to help us evolve into a community that is alive and relevant to the world today.

ARCHITECTURAL IMPACT

The most significant change to the architecture of the sanctuary was the addition of a new chamber in the front of the church directly behind the where the choir sits on the pulpit side of the nave.   As a result, the front of the church has a stronger sense of balance with matching pipe facades on both side of the room.  According to SsAM’s architect, Lee Sparks (Design Collaborative, Inc.), the addition of the second organ chamber is not only an inevitable improvement because of its beauty coupled with functionality, but it completes the architectural balance of the room in a way that stays true to the spirit of original (historic) architectural concept.  In the rear gallery of the church, attractive pipe work around the central round window replaces the former facade, but the basic layout (of the antiphonal organ) is very similar to the original design.

 

Worship Services Via Video

We are worshiping together via video on Facebook and YouTube. Click here to learn more about Sunday and weekday services!

25th anniversary logo for the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, Wilmington, Delaware

NEWS

Worship With Us Via Video

Use Facebook or YouTube to worship with us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.! Coffee Hour follows using Zoom (but not on Palm Sunday or Easter … [Read More...]

Sunday Coffee Hour at 11:00 a.m.

Coffee Hour resumes Sunday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURS on Sundays immediately following 10:00 a.m. worship. The Zoom … [Read More...]

Prayer Services at SsAM

Prayer Services at SsAM on Facebook Live and Zoom Click here to see our Facebook Live page. You can watch  these services (and our … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events at the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew

Upcoming Events: Our building is closed but we are busier than ever! Our next 25th Anniversary Event is Sunday, April 18, at 3:00 … [Read More...]

Thomas answered him — My Lord and My God! (John 20:28)

FATHER DAVID’S POST OF 4/9/2021 — Thomas’ confession of faith in the Risen Christ comes at the conclusion of the Gospel that we will hear … [Read More...]

Mother’s Day Bake Sale

Saturday, May 8, 11–3, Curbside, 719 N. Shipley Street. Drive up to the curb in front of our church between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on … [Read More...]

SsAM Men’s Fellowship Begins

In the first months of 2021, SsAM formed a Men’s Fellowship Ministry for the purposes of promoting fellowship among the men of the church … [Read More...]

Feed The Hungry

Please make a donation to a local food pantry! Children and families in our community are going hungry. You can help! As the … [Read More...]

Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace

First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Next walk is May 7. Since June 19, 2020, members from SsAM and other churches have been showing up for silent … [Read More...]

Get The Vaccine!

COVID-19 VACCINE SCHEDULING Requests for appointments for Delaware Division of Public Health vaccination events are now being taken … [Read More...]

Racial Justice: Continuing the Conversation with Three Wilmington Churches

The members of three Wilmington Churches continue their collaboration on issues of racial justice on Sunday, March 7, at 3:00 p.m. Please … [Read More...]

Volunteer To Serve On The Vestry

Our church is looking for four new Vestry members to serve three-year terms beginning in June, 2021. Is that you? Someone you know? The … [Read More...]

Please Make A Donation

You can make a one-time donation or set up a donation that repeats weekly or monthly. A click on the button will bring you to a secure … [Read More...]

See all the News & Upcoming Events posts

Sunday Services

We are worshiping together using video over the Internet. Click here to learn more!

Sunday worship services are at 10:00 a.m. Morning and Evening Prayer are also offered, on other days.

Visit Us

Our church is closed at the moment, but when we can open, even partially, our address is

719 N. Shipley Street
Wilmington, DE 19801

with free parking weekends and evenings next to the church at 713 N. Shipley Street. Click here to learn more about parking and directions.

OUR MISSION

To be an inclusive Christian community which worships God, follows Christ in all aspects of our lives, and serves the Greater Wilmington area through actions and ministries which promote peace, justice, reconciliation and empowerment for all people.

Contact Us

PHONE: 302 656-6628

EMAIL: Click here to use our email form.

FACEBOOK: Click here to see our Facebook page. You don’t need a Facebook account to see it.

YOUTUBE: Click here to see our YouTube Channel. Some smart TV sets will allow you to stream YouTube, so you can watch in your den or living room. Search for “Saints Andrews and Matthew”.

Are You New to SsAM?

If you are new to SsAM, please click here to see the Welcome to SsAM booklet in PDF format. The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew is a dynamic and diverse congregation in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Our Vision

The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew seeks to be a dynamic, spiritual center that is active in the pursuit of peace and justice in the community and a place where all God’s people are honored.

LINKS

  • Worship at SsAM: Sunday Documents, Church News, and More
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
  • SsAM on Facebook
  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
  • Vestry View
  • Invite Welcome Connect
  • Episcopal Church in Delaware
  • Episcopal Church USA
  • Michael Curry’s blog: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
  • Episcopal Digital Network
  • Forward Day By Day
  • Book of Common Prayer
  • Camp Arrowhead, Delaware
  • Order of the Ascension
  • Congregational Development
  • Father David’s Spiritual Journey
  • Calendar
  • Visit SsAM on Facebook
  • eNewsletter Sign-up
  • Vestry View

Donations Are Welcome, and a Necessity

Our ministries are dependent on financial donations. Click here to make a secure credit-card donation on-line or to learn more about making a pledge, texting a donation, special gifts and memorials, remembering SsAM in your will, setting up debit payments from your bank, and using United Way.

Make An On-Line Donation
SsAM Logo

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2021 The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew · Log in