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HistoryEpiscopal Church of the Messiah
The Episcopal Church of the Messiah This beguilingly simple church is the work of a little-known but highly accomplished English-born architect named Ernest Coxhead. Coxhead is often credited in helping to define the San Francisco Bay Area’s distinctive building tradition: a tradition characterized by an unapologetic use of boards, siding and shingles for exterior walls; an overall simplicity in feel; and use of careful but sometimes incongruous decorative touches that reveal unsuspected sophistication and calculation. As you will observe, these features are much in evidence at the Church of the Messiah. The Church of the Messiah was built between 1888 and May 1889 for the modest sum of $4,592. It is both the oldest public building in continuous use and the oldest church building in continuous use in Orange county. Today, in the midst of the downtown area, it is difficult to picture the church’s original semi-rural setting within a meadow. That original context guided the architect’s formulation of his design and should also guide today’s viewer. Another significant change occurred in 1911, when the building was raised five feet to build a Parish Hall and other facilities underneath, and the entrance moved from the tower to the rear of the Nave. The two story brick education building and its wing date from 1955 and 1969, respectively. Complementing the masterful architectural features of the Church of the Messiah are a variety of special liturgical elements. Some of the more noteworthy ones are the chapel’s red glass sanctuary lamp, which was acquired from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem; a 1903 Moeller Organ, which is believed to be the oldest in Orange County; beautiful stained glass work (including at least two Tiffany windows in the Apse; and the stone baptismal font which was donated by the Irvine Family). Beautiful iconographic carved decorative wood panels along the base of the chancel arch symbolically depict the four Apostles and make reference to Christ’s words: "I am the Alpha and the Omega". Organ Music at Messiah In the Church family, many members generously gave of their time and talents over the years with little or no special recognition. Mrs. A. J. Padgham was an organist who practically gave her services to the church from 1894 to 1913. Her name was first mentioned in the Treasurer’s report for 1894: "Mrs. Padgham began her service as organist of the Church of the Messiah today, March 11th, at $1.00 per week." Not only did she play each Sunday, but because the Guild Women often were in arrears with her weekly compensation, she was asked several times to organize musicales in her home to raise money. The first nine years were played on a pumped Reed Organ. But in 1903, the first pipe organ was purchased from M. P. Moeller Pipe Organ for the sum of $1,850.00 in “gold coins”. It was the first organ installation in Santa Ana, and probably the first in Orange County.
With wind power supplied by hand-operated bellows, choir boys and acolytes were used to operate the bellows and at times forgot their job, leaving the organist without wind for the next hymn. Over the years the boys carved their initials on the chests, and remnants of this exist today. This instrument served the church faithfully until 1946, when its first renovation was made. The specifications of the original organ, Opus 466, were as follows:
In 1946, we acquired from Spryros and Charles Skoura, theater magnates, the organ from the Broadway Theatre in Santa Ana: a 1923 custom built Wicks organ, Opus 637, no longer used in the theater. This organ contained the following pipe work:
An additional chamber had to be formed for the new pipes. The sacristy, (link to definition: a room for the storage of vestments and other sacred textiles and communion ware.) at this time was a curtained-off area on the south side of the choir stalls. A ceiling was built serving as the floor for the pipe chamber above. The Moeller console was removed and the horseshoe shaped theater console was installed on the south side of the choir. Finally, after a ten year period, the organ was completed and the final voicing and tuning was performed by Leonard Dowling, maintainer of the Spreckles Organ in Balboa Park in San Diego. During a heavy rainstorm in 1963, water collected in the top of the tower and flooded the organ. Pipe Organs Inc of Los Angeles were contracted the next year to rectify the damaged organ. The 16ft. Bourdon of the original Moeller and all the pipes of the Wicks were removed as well as the horseshoe console. The organ was tonally returned to the original Moeller. This newly completed organ was first used during Eastertide of 1965 and was designated the Gertrude Hellis Memorial Organ, as funds from her estate had been used to cover the cost of the work. During the rains of December of 1974, water dripped again through the bell tower. Strange sounds began to occur during services, and the result of this water damage became the center of discussion in the parish. In January , 1975, it was voted to fix the organ. Mr. Kohles was contacted and instructed to draw plans for a new organ in the $15,000 range. A new Klann console was ordered and four new sets of pipes to replace those damaged in the earthquake of 1971 were installed. The new pipes arrived in July and a month later the new console was delivered. Gradually the new instrument began to grow. The congregation could hear these new additions each Sunday. The organ was completed by the end of September, and on October 5, 1975, a Solemn Festival Choral Evensong was presented to dedicate the new instrument. Some time in 1990, we were again confronted by malfunctions in the organ console, and the necessity for releathering of the wind bellows. Many pipes were not sounding, and playing became more difficult each Sunday. With great appreciation to a few of the loyal parishioners, we were able to secure the services of Robert David in reconstructing the organ. Bill and Jacquelyn Slee, Marguerite Umbarger, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Elerding, Jr., and the late Dr. Calvin and Hilmarie Lauderbach were the benefactors of the organ we hear today. Without their gracious assistance, we would still be keeping the organ together with “string and barbed wire”. The new registration list was designed by Robert David, Inc., and is imbued with the English organ style most appropriate for our magnificent sanctuary. Let us be proud of the history of our church, and strive to hold on to the traditions that founded this Anglican parish.
© 2005, Episcopal Church of the Messiah |
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The organ was installed in the area under the church tower, with the exposed Diapason pipes in front of the arch in the present Peace Chapel, and the large 16-foot pedal pipes across the front area over the choir, which accounts for the notch in the ceiling over the choir. The console was located on the north side of the choir, with a curtain behind to close off the passage of people as they entered the church. For, at that time, the entrance to the church was through the bell tower.
Mr. Robert J. Stratton, organist at this time, undertook the task of putting the two instruments together. The original Moeller wind chests had given out and new ones had to be ordered. The Wicks organ came equipped with an electrified blower, so space had to be found for this equipment.
