Musical Instruments

Decatur Presbyterian enjoys the legacy of a great tradition in music and the arts that has resulted in an interest in obtaining and maintaining excellent musical instruments.

The pipe organ is frequently referred to as “the king of instruments” and the Decatur Presbyterian Church organs provide a very effective foundation for corporate worship. Both the sanctuary and chapel have magnificent pipe organs that were custom built for the church by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The large and impressively voiced sanctuary organ is capable of producing pitches at the lowest and highest frequencies audible to the human ear. The pipes of the sanctuary instrument are positioned in three locations: above the chancel area (visible), in the organ chamber located behind the chancel area(not visible–speaking through the 3 large screened openings) and the antiphonal division located on the back wall of the balcony. It is voiced in a manner that enables the performance of virtually all literature as well as supporting the congregation during worship services. The organ was featured during the American Guild of Organists National Convention in 1992, the last time Atlanta was the host chapter, and has been featured in various recitals.

We are also blessed with a memorial gift of a 2 manual Flemish style harpsichord; Opus 47, built by Tyre & Goudzwaard of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and grand pianos in the sanctuary, chapel and parlor.

In addition, our handbell choirs utilize a 5 octave set of handbells.

• Link to Sanctuary Organ Specifications page
• Link to Chapel Organ Specifications page

If you are interested in making a gift or memorial to expand any of our instruments or making a financial gift that will enable expansion of programs, please see Mr. McMahan.