I am pleased to announce that arrangements have been made for us to tour yet another organ during our November 7 Philadelphia trip: the 1937 Aeolian-Skinner instrument in Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church on Locust Street.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church was founded in 1848. The church building was begun that year, dedicated in 1850, and finished in 1851 when the tower was completed. The architect was John Notman, also responsible for the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square and the Athenaeum. The church, an example of Gothic Revival, has long been one of Philadelphia’s most fashionable. A strikingly beautiful chapel within the church has a silver altar. The parish buildings and the garden create an effect not unlike that of an English church. The organ, built in 1937 by the famous Aeolian-Skinner Company, incorporates earlier pipework by Austin/Carleton Michell, the Wanamaker Shop (string organ), and recent additions by Cornel Zimmer.

Here is the revised itinerary for the day:

8:30 AM • Bus departs from Park and Ride in Pittston (located at the intersection of Rte. 315 and Oak St.)
11:30 AM • Approximate arrival time in Philadelphia
12:00 PM • Organ Recital in Macy’s
12:45 PM • Lunch (on your own; there are many good restaurants in the area)
2:00 PM • Approximate start time for tour, which will include the Wanamaker Grand Court organ and newly restored Wurlitzer theater organ
3:00 PM • Approximate time to ride to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

The time of departure will be determined by the length of the tour. We will leave Philadelphia around 4:30 PM and the ride home will be roughly two hours. There are restroom facilities on the bus and light refreshments will be provided for the ride home. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes.