From The Organs: St. Paul's Episcopal Church

by David Sinden

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Saint Paul’s Church is very fortunate to have a fine organ by the renowned organbuilder Manuel Rosales of Los Angeles, California. This one of only two instruments by Rosales on the East Coast of the United States (the other being at St. Bartholomew’s, Atlanta, Ga.).

Manuel Rosales is particularly well known for his uncanny ability to “voice”organ pipes so that they are not only especially beautiful on their own, but also blend in remarkable ways with other pipes of the organ.

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The St. Paul’s organ is not of one specific style. It is not German, French, English, or American; nor does it try to be all of these styles at once. Rather, it falls into its own category. Seeking insight from many different organ building traditions, Manuel Rosales found a middle way, and musical life of this city and the worship of God in this church benefit from this approach.

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In July of 1998 over 100 people helped carry the first parts of the organ into the church. A small part of the organ was first heard in February 1999. The first recital was played by Dame Gillian Weir as part of the Repertoire Recital Series of the Richmond Chapter of the American Guild of Organists on March 24, 2000. The Rosales organ was dedicated on Sunday, May 21, 2000 at a morning celebration of the Holy Eucharist.

Major funding for this organ was provided by the Massey family in memory of Mr. and Mrs. William E. Massey, Sr.