1920 Austin Pipe Organ

St. Mary Church was founded in 1859 to serve the German Population of the East Dayton area. It is the third oldest Catholic congregation in Dayton. The original church was a medium-sized brick edifice that served the growing Dayton population for just over three decades before being demolished in 1905 to make way for the present Romanesque church, which is now on the historic register.  In July 1919, a contract was signed with the Austin Organ Company (later Austin Organs, Inc.) of Hartford Connecticut, to build a large romantic organ.  The organ took over two months to install, and it was possible that the choir loft, in which the organ resides, was erected at this time, as well. The dedicatory recital was performed by Dr. Marcus Kellerman on Sunday, October 24, 1920.

In 1996, Peebles-Herzog, Inc. was hired to rebuild the organ.  Tonally the organ would be left alone, to sound just as it had for three-quarters of a century. Pipes numbering the thousands were removed, washed, vacuumed, and reinstalled, with volunteers doing much of the work.  The organ has over 2,800 pipes in the Gallery organ, and nearly 1,000 pipes in the Echo organ.

As the instrument approaches its centennial, tastes have seemingly come full circle and there is again a growing appreciation for these vintage pipe organs.  As so many have been lost to neglect or changes in taste, it is most fortunate that we have preserved today in the acoustical and visual splendor of St. Mary, a rare jewel of early 20th century American Romantic organ building.

On this Day, O Beautiful Mother George Brun, Soloist Jubilee Choir St. Mary 150th Anniversary	My Soul Rejoices St. Mary Choir 150th Anniversary	Ave Maria Kathryn Maresca, Organ Guy McIntosh, Trumpet St. Mary 150th Anniversary

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