First Baptist Church Hook-Hastings Pipe Organ  The photos, text and scanned
documents on this page were contributed by Ann Londres,
current owner of the organ. |
The organ was built specifically for the church by Hook-Hastings organ builders in the same year the building was completed. The philanthropist Andrew Carnegie donated $750.00 towards the purchase of the organ. L.W. Hersey (one of the founders of Waukon State Bank) was a prominent member of the church and donated much of the funds which made the building possible, so the congregation dedicated the organ to Mr. & Mrs. Hersey. The original plaque is on the organ to this day. The Waukon State Bank website has more information about L.W. Hersey (click on 'About Us' then 'History').
The organ is 1 of 67 in the State of Iowa which were involved with the Carnegie fund for organs. Unknown is how many exist today, although this one is in perfect working condition. The organ is Opus 2060 built in 1905. The term "Opus" means the number built, so the organ is the 2060th organ built by the company. Registers and Ranks mean the same thing which is the number of pipes an organ has.
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Thank-you Letter from
the congregation to Andrew Carnegie
 Close-up of the signatures:  |
Waukon, Iowa, March 18th,
1904 By the First Baptist Church Waukon, Iowa Acknowledgment: The First Baptist Church of this city takes pleasure in formally recording its acceptance of, and gratitude for, the generosity of Mr. Andrew Carnegie in so faborably (sic) responding to the appeal of our pastor in behalf of the proposed pipe organ for the new church edifice. The gift is acknowledged amid many expresions of joy. Therefore, it is hereby directed that this sentiment be forewarded at once to Mr. Carnegie together with the thanks of the congregation; and the same be recorded in full by the church clerk in the records of this body. C.H. Stull E.B. Gibbs Mrs. B.A. Hersey E.W. Goodykoontz Committee appointed by Church March 3d, 04 Ratified Sunday morning, March 20th, 1904 |
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Hook-Hastings Receipt
August 25, '05
Bill for Memorial Tablet
Rev. C.H. Stull, Waukon, Ia.
Dear Sir:
We are in receipt of your esteemed favor of Aug. 22nd, with check for $1143.72. We are sending by same mail to Mr. R.A. Franks, of the Home Trust Co., Hoboken, N.J., bill showing balance due on the organ $750.00, and accompanying the bill we send letter from Mr. J.H. Johnson, which you sent to us with your letter. Upon receipt of remittance from Mr. Franks we will send you receipt in full for the organ. We enclose bill for the Memorial Tablet, as requested.
Respectfully,
Hook-Hastings Co.
A.R.P.
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Organ Specification
Documents
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The organ specifications are
worthy for research purposes as others may be looking for
similar information. On the left is the cover of the binder of documents from Hook-Hastings Co. Organ Specification for First Baptist Church, Waukon, Ia. Below is the Memorandum of Agreement between the church & the organ builder.
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| Boston, Mass., November
22nd, 1904 Memorandum of an Agreement made this day, by and between Hook-Hastings Co., Organ Builders, of Boston, Mass., and the First Baptist Church of Waukon, Iowa, through its representatives duly authorized. To wit: - Said Hook-Hastings Co. shall build an organ, two manuals and pedal, according to the annexed specifications, of the best material and in the most thorough manner and set it up in the church edifice in good order, ready for use, warranted perfect in every respect, within ninety days from the date of a written notice to be given by said church to said Hook-Hastings Co., stating that the church is ready to receive said organ, said notice to be dated not later than April 1, 1905. Said church shall prepare the place for the organ, and allow suitable convenience and opportunity in the church for the work of setting up and tuning it; and promptly upon its completion in the church shall have it critically tried and examined so that the expert before leaving may attend to any matters apparently defective; and in full consideration for the furnishing and delivery of the organ as above, shall pay to the said Hook-Hastings Co., upon its completion in the church, the sum of Two Thousand ($2000.) Dollars in cash. |
And it is further agreed that until full payment be made, as herein stipulated, the organ shall remain the property of said Hook-Hastings Co., to whom it shall be insured by said church against damage by fire as its interest may appear, from the time the organ or its parts are deposited in the building it is to occupy. All payments to be made in drafts on Boston or New York to the order of said Hook-Hastings Co. All contracts to be signed or countersigned at the Home Office. (signed) Hook-Hastings Co. F.H. Hastings Jr First Baptist Church Charles Henry Stull, Authorized (seal) Waukon, Ia. Nov. 22d, 1904 Note - As the church would insure the organ in its own interest upon its completion it is only necessary to take out the policy a short time in advance. |
The documents on the left below, are pages one and two of
the specifications. On the right below is the document with the
constructive details outlined.
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Carnegie Benefactors of Church Organs
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