M. P. Moller

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Mathias Peter Møller (more commonly known as M.P. Möller) was a prolific Danish organ builder with a production of over 11,000 instruments. He was a native of the Danish island of Bornholm. He founded the M.P. Moller Pipe Organ Company in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania in 1875. The city of Hagerstown took notice of Möller's early successes and induced him to move his business to that city to help make Hagerstown a viable business center in Western Maryland. The result was M. P. Möller, Inc and the company remained in business until 1992.

[edit] History

Early Möller instruments utilized mechanical (tracker) action in the pipe chests linking them to the console by mechanical means. Later, tubular-pneumatic action was used for a brief time until the company adopted its own version of electro-pneumatic action (or pitman action). The earliest instruments were built by industry supply houses under contract to Möller.

Möller organs can be found in thousands of churches, of all denominations, schools, concert halls, private residences and movie theaters. The largest Möller church organ, built as a single new instrument, is installed in Calvary Church, Charlotte, North Carolina, Opus (serial number) 11739, completed in 1990. Möller also built a large number of theater organs (often known as the "Möller Deluxe" organ) and the company's largest theatre instrument still resides in Atlanta's Fox Theatre, affectionately known as the "Mighty Mo." In addition, the company also built many "Artiste" type instruments, smaller mass-produced organs which incorporated standard specifications with fewer sets of pipes. These were known in the 1970's as their "Series 70" instruments.

Möller introduced solid state electronics for console components and other innovations in the 1980's, later than many other competitors. This, coupled with serious labor problems over the years, along with lagging investments in the plant and escalation in the cost of fabrication contributed to the end of the company. As can be said for any pipe organ builder, there are as many fine Möller installations as there are not so fine. One memorable example of Möller's product are the two instruments at the National Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., recently rebuilt by Goulding and Wood. A three manual organ occupies the transept and a four manual is located in the rear gallery. It was through Goulding and Wood's restoration/rebuilding that both organs may be played together or separately from either console, something not accomplished in Mőller's original installation.

Another large, mostly-Möller, instrument is the one in the Cadet Chapel of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. The project bid package included an approved organ design. The winning bidder was allowed to suggest and implement changes to this design following contract award. As a result Möller, as the builder of the organ, got to demonstrate their best practices in the Cadet Chapel organ.

The end came in 1992, after another series of labor disputes which turned rather ugly. Several investors attempted to revive the company and move it from its ancient factory on Hagerstown's Prospect Street, but to no avail. Whether it was the inexperience of these investors in doing business as pipe organ builders, the lack of orders, or pipe work that was a shadow of its former self or the lack of capital investment, Möller's assets were auctioned off in 1993. Beautiful almost-completed and completed consoles, voiced pipes, hardwood and the like were sold for only a fraction of their value. Unfortunately, some churches never received their new pipe organs.