Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

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

  • Welcome
    • News & Upcoming Events
    • Online Calendar
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    • 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
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      • YYF Blog
    • Episcopal Church Women
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    • History of the Parish
      • History, Diocese of Delaware
      • History of Slavery in Delaware
      • History of Wilmington Garden Day
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  • What We Do
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        • Wedding Guidelines
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    • Caring For Creation
      • Local Food, Local Institutions
    • Invite Welcome Connect
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  • 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
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About The Katherine Esterly Organ

Links

  • About the Organ Project
  • Tonal Specifications
  • Make A Donation
  • Join The Friends of the Katherine Esterly Organ

About The Organ

The new pipe organ for the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM) in Wilmington, Delaware is Quimby Pipe Organs’ Opus 72, and is comprised of 45 ranks divided into four manual divisions and pedal, playable from a new three manual and pedal console. The new organ replaces a two-manual Möller, Opus 7114, which was completed in 1948.

The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew is the successful result of the combination of two established Episcopal congregations in Wilmington, in 1995. Since that time, the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John in Wilmington was closed, and many congregants moved to Sts. Andrew & Matthew. Because of this, as a symbolic gesture of bringing many disparate parts into a unified whole, ranks of pipes from all three church organs have been incorporated into the new Quimby organ. In addition to the St. Andrew Möller, pipes were used from both the St. Matthew 1956 Möller, Opus 8832, and the 1920 Möller, Opus 2992 (rebuilt by Möller in 1952 and 1967) from the Cathedral Church of St. John. Some of the pipes in the St. Andrew Möller were retained from the church’s former 1907 C.S. Haskell organ, and have also been reused in the new organ.

These pipes have been skillfully restored, rescaled, and re-voiced so that they form integral parts of an organ ensemble that is unique to Quimby. Together with new ranks of pipes, all form a diverse but coherent whole where individual voices are developed for individual beauty and maximum harmonic development, but also great blending capacity.

The separately enclosed Swell and Great divisions are located together in the chamber that housed both the St. Andrew Möller and the previous C.S. Haskell. The primary pedal ranks are enclosed with the Great. The Choir division is located in an expression enclosure in a newly constructed chamber on the opposite side of the Chancel. Both chambers are fronted by new non-speaking façade pipes constructed to replicate closely the original 1907 C.S. Haskell façade pipes, which were reused by Möller in 1948. The Antiphonal division is unenclosed, and is located in an alcove in the rear Gallery where Möller previously installed an Antiphonal division in 1957, where the pipes are arranged on either side of a rose window.

As with other recent instruments, our work here draws from several antecedents for inspiration, resulting in a tonal style that is entirely our own, and no copy of any historical work. As such, it becomes a part of a historical continuum from which lessons are taken, and new concepts are explored within the framework of an English-American 19th and 20th century heritage. Of special note are the Diapason choruses, which are inspired by the work of 19th century English organ builder T.C. Lewis, and which feature generously scaled pipework, voiced to optimum harmonic potential, that enables the constituent chorus pitches to lock into an integrated ensemble while also filling the church with grandeur and presence.

The reeds are also unique to Quimby Pipe Organs. The Swell Chorus reeds are our own synthesis of the French and English schools, in order to provide fire and brilliance combined with a fundamental tone that simulates the “bourdon tone” that reverberant stone buildings impart to fiery French Trompettes—here, in the context of a much less resonant space. The Great Trumpet is squarely from the English tradition, and is more round, but still brilliant. The Harmonic Trumpet, located in the Antiphonal, speaks with a heroic, commanding voice capable of solo lines over full organ ensembles.

The Swell Oboe is also from the English tradition, and will function well with both the foundation stops, and also as a lyrical solo reed. The Choir Clarinet is after the tradition of twentieth century American organbuilder Ernest M. Skinner. The Choir English Horn is the representative rank from the Cathedral of St. John, and was constructed by Möller for their 1920 organ in that church, Opus 2992.

The console, built by Jim Schmidt, is a departure from our standard practice, and was modeled on the elegantly compact and attractive three manual console built by Aeolian for their 1930 three-manual and pedal instrument at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, and features tilting stop tablets on angled jambs.

New Quimby-Blackinton slider windchests have been constructed for the primary manual divisions, with extended ranks on new electro-pneumatic unit windchests.

The organ was completion in January 2017 with Service of Dedication (featuring David Christopher and the SsAM Choirs) on Sunday 19 February 2017 at 4:00 p.m. and the Dedicatory Recital (given by Ken Cowan) on Saturday, 25 February 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

Click here to find out about becoming a FRIEND OF THE KATHERINE ESTERLY ORGAN

Written by Daniel T. Hancock, President, Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc.

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

Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace

First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Next walk is Friday, March 5! Since June 19, 2020, SsAM and other churches have been sponsoring silent Walks … [Read More...]

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. We have gone back to pre-recorded … [Read More...]

Virtual Coffee Hour This Sunday

VIRTUAL COFFEE HOURS Sunday immediately following 10:00 a.m. worship. The Zoom login info was in last Friday’s E-Blast, but you can also … [Read More...]

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...]

SsAM 25th Anniversary Continues!

Our next 25th Anniversary Event is Sunday, March 14, at 3:00 p.m. The Zoom program on the 14th of March will continue the exploration of … [Read More...]

Observe a Holy Season Of Lent

How to Observe a Holy Lent during a Pandemic.  I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, … [Read More...]

Vaccinations And Ashes

The Importance of Getting Vaccinated:  The vestry of SsAM and I strongly recommend that you schedule a COVID-19 vaccination when you … [Read More...]

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

Our building is closed but we are busier than ever! Monthly Walks for Justice and Peace First Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Next Walk is Friday, … [Read More...]

Black History Month in Delaware

In February we celebrate the contributions of Black people. It is a time to reflect on the struggle for racial justice. 2021’s theme is “The … [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...]

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...]

Books About Race, Race Relations, and Racial History – A Bibliography

Here is a list of books, articles, and videos that enlighten us about race, race relations, racial history, and related topics. Click here … [Read More...]

Pledge Form

If you want to make your pledge to SsAM for 2021, you can use this on-line form, which does NOT ask for bank account or credit card … [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
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