Music in many forms is a large part of the programs at the Village Congregational Church, UCC, Whitinsville. Having one of the best and largest pipe organs and handbell sets in the area has brought many folks to the VCC to listen, play, and generally enjoy the quality of instruments that the church enjoys.

During this past year both the Aeolian-Skinner organ, and the 5 octaves of Malmark handbells have been repaired and refurbished in order to maintain their consistent use and glorify their sound. The VCC has invested in both of these instruments to keep them up to performance standards. Both instruments require regular maintenance, and periodic overall refurbishing as was just completed.

The huge pipe organ was built by the Aeolian-Skinner Organ Company, Opus 1161 from Boston, MA, in 1948. For organ buffs, it has an EP Pitman Chest, 36 ranks, 2241 pipes, 3 manuals, 31 stops, and 37 registers. When built, it retained 23 stops from the 1899 Hutchings organ, and had some pipes added by Schlicker from Buffalo in 1960. The organ is maintained by the respected organ company of Czelusniak Et Dugal, Inc., from Southampton, MA, and has been played by many local and guest organists over the years.

Upon first view, one would see an organist sitting at the console of 3 keyboards, pedals below, and a large row of pipes up front. But as you step inside the cabinet of the organ, you would find the 2,241 pipes, of metal and wood, (round, square, and conical), ranging from less than a foot long to pipes over 20 feet tall! The blower, which is central to blowing air through the pipes to create the sound, is housed beneath the pipes. This great organ, appreciated over the years by many tours from the American Guild of Organists, creates music that ranges from soft and sublime, to grand and glorious!