Opus 140

Seattle’s oldest Protestant congregation, Plymouth Church has resided in the heart of Seattle since 1869. Plymouth plays an important role in the city’s civic and spiritual history and is well known for its social justice programs and community outreach. The current church building, the fourth in Plymouth’s history, was dedicated in 1967 and was designed by Naramore Bain Brady & Johanson, a global architecture firm founded in Seattle in 1943. The white, concrete and glass, oval-shaped building is a distinctive part of Seattle’s modern architectural landscape.

In 2014, the sanctuary underwent a major renovation under the guidance of LMN Architects of Seattle, including acoustical improvements making it a very favorable environment for organ music. Plymouth’s new organ, Opus 140, is placed front and center in the lofty sanctuary. Fisk visual designer Charles Nazarian created an organ case design honoring the modernist architecture of the building, but also subtly incorporating elements of historical French organ design. The case is built of solid maple and features the burnished tin Grand Orgue Montre 16′ in its façade.  

The organ is resolutely French Romantic, strongly favoring the best work of 19th-century organbuilder Aristide Cavaille-Coll. It also includes certain voices of the French Classical style in order to expand its ability to lead congregational singing, to accompany the church’s excellent choir, and to perform solo organ repertoire. The specification is the result of discussions with world-renowned organist Douglas Cleveland and comprises 3 manuals and pedal, 55 stops, 45 independent voices, and two divisions under expression. The instrument was delivered to the church in March 2015 and the dedication concert, played by Mr. Cleveland, occurred on November 15, 2015.