The Instruments of CPC

Organs
Central has two pipe organs, a small, four-rank instrument in the chapel, and the main, sixty-three rank instrument in the sanctuary. Installed when the chapel was built in the 1950's, the small Reuter pipe organ is ideally suited to the intimate environment of the room. The grandeur of the Sanctuary, however, demanded a larger and more imposing instrument, suited to supporting hymn singing, accompanying the choirs, and performing the great organ literature. In 1993, the three-manual, sixty-three rank Schantz was installed. The dedicatory recital was played by the design consultant, John Weaver, director of music at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. It is one of the finest instruments in the area because of its tonal design and the "singing" quality of its principal chorus.

Handbells and Carillon
CPC had one of the first sets of Whitechapel Handbells in the United States. Made by the same foundry that cast the Liberty Bell and Big Ben, the bells range from a large 10 pound C to a very tiny high C five octaves higher. Handbells were originally devised so that "change ringing" or patterned ringing of a peal of tower bells, could be practiced without waking everyone in town! An electronic carillon by the American company, Schulmerich, plays from the bell tower and they can be heard at 8:00am, noon, and 6:00pm every day.

Pianos
The choir room and auditorium each have a Steinway model M, both from the 1920's and used frequently for performances and rehearsals. The 1908 Steinway in the Sanctuary is a very rare model C restored in the late 80's, and renowned in the area by performers and audiences alike.

Harpsichord
Our harpsichord is constructed from a kit by the New England firm, Zuckermann. The kit was donated by Larry and Gertrude Swab, and the harpsichord was built over 700 hours by Garner Morgan and hand decorated by his late wife, Maryanne. It is used as a solo instrument and as the keyboard for chamber orchestral performances.