Mander Organ

The Façade Carvings

The inspiration for the carvings crowning the façade pipes comes from three primary sources: Psalm 150, St. Francis’ “Canticle to the Sun”, and the Reformation.

The instruments from Psalm 150 are found in the three towers in center of the main case. Atop the second tower from the left are found the lute and the pipe; crowning the center tower two kinds of flutes and a pair of cymbals; on the second tower from the right a tambourine crested on a harp.

Aspects of St. Francis’ canticle, familiarly known by the title All Creatures of Our God and King, are depicted throughout the entire series of carvings. On the far left pedal tower are found the sun, moon and stars; on the right a lion and a lamb. In the lower center of the main case are found various creatures, including a sparrow, a butterfly and two dogs. The background of the main case contain leaves, branches and the fruit of two trees: the horse chestnut and the sweet chestnut. These are references not only to The Canticle of Brother Sun, but also the Tree of Life (in this case, a chestnut tree).

The Choir Organ, suspended from the gallery rail in close proximity to the congregation, contains symbols of the Reformation: the two sacraments, two shields associated with two Reformers, John Calvin and Martin Luther, and a crest of the great Lutheran musician Johann Sebastian Bach. On the outside of the left tower is found the symbol often associated with John Calvin: a shield with a cross in the center between two tablets containing the Ten Commandments; on the inside left tower a loaf of bread with a background of wheat sheaves. In the center tower, amidst a background of chestnuts and chestnut leaves, two doves descending represent the sacrament of baptism. On the inside top of the right tower is a chalice with a background of grape vines; on the outside right tower is the crest of Martin Luther: a black cross on a red heart on a white rose. On the bottom of the center tower is the crest of Johann Sebastian Bach.