The Great Organ of Peachtree Road, installed by Mander Organs of London, England, is the largest mechanical action organ ever built by a British organ builder.  With mechanical action, the oldest type of organ action, the motions of the player are translated through long wooden strips made from cedar, commonly called “trackers.”  This provides a direct mechanical link from each note on the keyboard to the different divisions of the organ.  Organists prefer this type of action due to its extreme responsiveness and sensitivity to the touch of the player.

The Chancel instrument is divided among twin 40-foot cases towering over the high altar and chancel.  The three
primary manual divisions (Great, Swell & Choir), played by the organist’s hands, are located in the left-hand case, facing the altar.  The pedal division, complete with two full-length 32-foot stops, is in the right-hand case and controlled by the organist’s feet.

The Solo Organ, a manual division with a battery of high-powered reed stops is located in the upper level of the Chancel pedal case.  A 42-rank instrument built by the Mander firm rises above the West End Gallery.  French in “flavor.”  The instrument greatly enhances the English accents coming from the Chancel.  The crowning glory is the Trompette Royale, an en chamade stop that is used for heraldic fanfares and as a solo against the full organ. The intricately carved cases include dogwood branches, the instruments mentioned in Psalm 150, as well as the seal of the Peachtree Road United Methodist Church.

The Chancel divisions of the organ were given through generous gifts by Mr. Charles Loudermilk and Mr. Mark Pope III in 2002.  The gallery divisions were donated by the Moon Family Foundation in 2008 and complete the Great Organ.  The entire instrument contains 106 stops and 135 ranks.

Soli Deo Gloria!
The Great Organ Stoplist