The First Church Presbyterian, Stamford, CT

"The Fish Church"

Organ concert artist Chris Houlihan will play a program designed for this visually exciting church, known locally as the "fish church" and its unique 4-manual, 74-rank, Visser-Rowland pipe organ.

Open to the Public. Free-will offering. Handicapped Accessible.

Click here for directions. 

Church Building Design 

The very first First Presbyterian Church of Stamford, a wooden structure located at 90 Broad Street, was dedicated in 1854. One hundred years later, in 1954, the congregation voted to relocate to our present location on 10 acres of land at 1101 Bedford Street. Always considered a leader in the community, the First Presbyterian Church furthered its historical distinction when the new structure, with its modern facade and towering Carillon, earned the Church landmark status.

Designed by Wallace K. Harrison, the new sanctuary was dedicated in March 1958. Its shape has been likened to that of a fish- a symbol used in early Christianity. The fish shape is apparent both in the profile and in the floor plan of the structure. Enhancing the unique shape of the church are the outstanding stained glass windows in the sanctuary, containing more than 20,000 pieces of faceted glass and depicting the story of the Crucifixion and of the resurrection; and the 32 foot high cross faced with wood from the Canterbury Cathedral in England, which dominates the Chancel.

The Organ

The Visser-Rowland (Opus 87) organ is a 4-manual, 51-stop, 74-rank tracker organ made by Visser-Rowland Associates of Houston, Texas. The console, or keydesk, is detached from the organ case, allowing greater flexibility and ease of choral conducting.

The design was conceived by Pieter Visser. The tonal scheme of the organ is adapted from Dutch organs of the mid-eighteenth century. Such a design calls for firm, bright principal tone, flutes which sound clear and deep, harmonious reed stops, and an abundance of incisive high-pitched stops which reinforce, rather than obscure the foundation tone. An organ of this type is versatile in the types of literature it can perform. It blends well with voices and other instruments, and, most importantly, it excels in leading congregational singing.

Many different woods were used in constructing the organ. Most obvious are the mahogany case and white oak console. The four manual keyboards have ebony naturals and maple sharps, woods selected for their durability as well as appearance. The Zimblestern, which rotates at the top of the case, is basswood. The facade pipes (the largest of which is twenty feel tall) are flamed copper and polished tin and the Trumpet En Chemade is polished copper.