Through construction scaffolding, building materials and tool bags, stands the prized and beloved oak frame of the organ of Calvary Presbyterian Church in the City of Newburgh which has started to make its return to the congregation’s inner sanctuary following a devastating blaze in 2020.

On March 5, 2020, a reported fire had broken out during the late hours of the night at the church. According to the congregation website, Pastor Reverend J. Edward Lewis, Sr. arrived on the scene of the fire and witnessed city fire crews and other personnel battling the blaze, hoping to contain it as quickly as possible. The blaze consumed the fellowship hall along South Street but did not breach the inner sanctuary thankfully. However, smoke and soot filled the inner sanctuary and had entered into the inner workings of the organ. Once the smoke settled and cleanup was underway, restoration and repair work on the organ needed to be done.

The sentimental instrument of Calvary church is known as an Ernest M. Skinner organ. According to the Calvary website, the original organ was installed brand new in 1937, contained within an oak body. On December 4, 1937, the organ was dedicated to Calvary church with its playing by New York City organist, T. Tertious Noble. The organ itself was a gift from Harriet Emigh Brown. The Skinner organ has a 32 foot pedal stop, whereas the only other organ that has a similar setup is the organ found at West Point. Additional solo stops and 2,178 pipes are also included in this treasured piece. The organ is located in the upper loft of the sanctuary.

The restoration of the Skinner organ was being handled by Foley-Baker, Inc. who are based in Connecticut. The company, which has been in business for 50 years, provides restoration and repair work to various organs all across the country. The Skinner organ was removed from the upper sanctuary loft in 2021 and all the various pipes and mechanisms have either been restored or upgraded with new technology and systems.

Douglas McKeever, Foley-Baker’s Field Operations Director and members of his team Chris Walton, Brian DeBlois and Haley Hewitt were recently on-site at Calvary Church and were in the process of bringing up the organ’s console to the balcony where it once was and proceeded with re-installation. The console is the part of the organ that contains all the keys, pedals and organ stop controls.

Though not from Newburgh originally and a pianist by trade, Joseph Bush has been part of the Calvary congregation for the past five years, traveling to Newburgh from Connecticut. Bush’s connection to the church began with his father who is friends with Reverend Lewis, Sr. “I used to volunteer at the church over the summers and play for their services when they needed musicians,” Bush said.

When Bush first arrived at Calvary, he worked with resident Luke Pontifell and began to record and log the various parts and mechanisms of the organ in order to make sure that it was working properly.

Reflecting on the fire, Bush was amazed that it did not breach the inner sanctuary of the church. “When the fire happened, it was such a strange time in life because it was March of 2020 because you know it was exactly when everything shut down for COVID,” Bush said.

Since the fire and the COVID outbreak, members of the Calvary congregation have not been able to celebrate together and held their services online. Furthermore, they have not been able to hear the sound of the organ that was played several years ago. Though he has not been back to the Newburgh area recently, the return of the organ into the sanctuary has Bush excited.

“I’m excited. I can’t wait to get back to playing it,” said Bush. “What the organ means to me, it’s been a pleasure of mine to play that instrument, to be ingrained and learning its workings. It’s been really a blessing to be able to learn on an instrument of that caliber.” Bush wishes in the near future to see concerts for the community to hopefully be held once the organ is good and ready.

Local resident Luke Pontifell said he has been interested in early music for many years. When he heard about the Skinner organ in the area, Pontifell discovered it at Calvary, thus leading him to becoming involved in the congregation.

Reflecting on the fire, Pontifell feared the worst that the church and its treasures could have all been lost but was thankful that was not the case. However soot and smoke had entered the organ and work needed to be done. Though there was damage, Pontifell shared that many original parts of the organ were able to be restored and saved by Foley-Baker, Inc.

“This restoration is done with incredible historic accuracy, it’s being done by you know master crafts people who know what they’re doing,” said Pontifell. “It’s important to note that this, the Calvary Skinner Organ is really, it’s one of the great organs anywhere in the country. It’s a historic artifact from the past that will be here long after we’re gone.”

Pontifell, similar to Bush, looks forward to hosting and having concerts at the church for the community once the organ is reinstalled, so he says stay tuned.