Vinton, Iowa, USA: Presbyterian Church

Vinton, Iowa is in the eastern part of the state, about halfway between Des Moines and Davenport. It seems the Presbyterian Church there has used three facilities during its existence. The present building at one time had a dome which was removed in the middle of the last century. Copper from the dome was reputedly used "for the war effort."

There was apparently some cleaning done to the organ in 2015. There is a fairly decent photo essay of the project at the church's website. However no details are given about who undertook the work, nor any specifics about the instrument. I have not been able to find any information about it anywhere. The picture below is dated Easter 2017. The facade looks very much as it does on my card.

My card is used, black and white. The card is postmarked 1924. It shows the pulpit area with a raised chancel or choir area behind. The organ is within that raised area. One can discern the dome which was later removed as a roof feature.

Virginia City, NV, USA: St Paul's Episcopal

 

St Paul's Episcopal Church in Virginia City, Nevada was established in 1861. The was a massive fire in 1875 after which the church was rebuilt in Carpenter-Gothic style. At present the facility is in dire need of restoration: of it the present building dates from 1875. The structure is mostly wood (two varieties of pine).

The Alexander Mills (New York) organ was installed as part of the 1875 rebuild, and finished in 1876. The church website provides the following:

Two manuals. 3 divisions. 17 stops. 20 registers. 19 ranks. 975 pipes. Manual compass is 58 notes. Pedal compass is 27 notes.

No specification is provided. Mills provided other instruments for Western churches in the same general time span as the St Paul organ.

My postcard is in color, mint. It shows the nave and chancel area with a good view of the organ. The original church had a rear gallery; the view of the postcard seems to suggest one exists in the present building also. The picture below is of the keydesk showing some of the pedalboard. The page for the organ gives some details as to the layout of the pipework within the instrument.