The World's Largest Pipe Organs

Ordered by number of ranks

Institution/Builder/CDs Location Manuals/
Ranks		 Registers
Derived Stops
 Pipes
1a. Wanamaker Organ
Lord & Taylor Department Store		 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania VI/458 416? 416? 28,500+
Los Angeles Art Organ Co./Wanamaker's
  • Virgil Fox Plays the John Wanamaker Organ - Bainbridge BCD2501 (out of print)
  • Chapman/Wanamaker - The Memorial Release - Vantage VCD 6304
  • The Complete Chapman/Wanamaker Recordings - Vantage V2CD 69-694-001
  • Keith Chapman - The "Lost Radio Broadcasts" - Available from the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ
Also see http://theatreorgans.com/pa/philly/WANN/index.HTM
1b. Convention Hall Atlantic City, New Jersey VII/449* 336 852 32,000+*
Midmer-Losh, Opus 5550, 1929
World's only full-length 64' diaphone Also see http://theatreorgans.com/atlcity/
3. USMA Cadet Chapel West Point, New York IV/325 576 20,142
Moller & others
  • Joyce Jones plays Bach, Rheinberger, Purvis, Ives, Roberts, Elmore, Tournemire, Dupre, and improvisation - Motette CD 11491
  • Philips 438 309-2
  • Daniel Chorzempa plays Wagner, Rheinberger, Gigout, Vierne, & Boellmann - Philips 416 159-2
  • Joan Lippincott plays Widor's Symphony No. 5 & Alain's "Trois Danses" - Gothic G 49046
4. First Congregational Church Los Angeles, California V/320 16,000+
E.M. Skinner Opus 856, 1931/Schlicker/others
  • Bach In Los Angeles, Michael Murray - Telarc CD 80088

    • Notes: 
    1.  This recording made when instrument was still a IV/214. 
    2.  Selections from this album also released on An Organ Blaster Sampler and Bach Organ Blaster.
5. Passau Cathedral Passau, Germany V/309 227 17,774
Eisenbarth
Largest pipe organ in Europe
  • Die Domorgel - Eine Dokumentation, W. R. Schuster plays Reger, Muffat, and improvisation - Motette MOT 10601 (1983)
  • Die Orgeln des Passauer Doms, Gerhard Weinberger plays Bach and Liszt - Christofferus CD 74532 (1984)
  • Die Orgel des Passauer Doms, G. Anthanasiades plays Buxtehude, Bach, Mozart, Franck, Anthanasiades - Tudor TUD 725 (1989)
  • Romantische Orgelmusik im Dom zu Passau, Hans Leitner plays Walter, Hoeller, Messner, Haas - Motette MOT 11811 (1992)
  • Orgelmusik im Dom zu Passau, Walther Schuster plays Bach, Reger, Boellmann, Langlais - Saphir INT 830.828 (DDD)
  • Wie chon leuchtet der Morgenstern, Edgar Krapp plays Bach, Reger, Franck, Dupre - Eurodisc 610 110-231 (DDD)
  • Almut Roessler plays Mesiaen's Livre du Saint Sacrement (2 discs) - Motette DCD 11061
  • Die Passauer Domorgel groesste Kirchenorgel der Welt, Helga Schauerte
  • Orgelkonzert im Dom zu Passau, Harald Feller - Freiburger Musikforum Ars Musici (AME 3015-2) or Harmonia Mundi Deutschlan (HM 933-2)
  • Organ Improvisations, Jaroslav Tuma - ARTA FI 0064-2
  • Orgelkonzert, Anton M. Bogner - Symicon CD 101
  • Monumentale Orgelmusik im Hohen Dom zu Passau, Anton M. Bogner - Symicon CD 103
  • Konzert auf der groessten Kirchenorgel der Welt, Josef Werndl - Symicon CD 104
  • Domorganist Hans Leitner an der groessten Kirchenorgel der Welt im Hohen Dom zu Passau, Hans Leitner - Symicon CD 105
  • Weihnachtliche Orgelmusik aus dem Dom zu Passau, Hans Leitner - Symicon CD 114
  • Klangfarben der groessten Kirchenorgel der Welt, Hans Leitner - Symicon CD 118
    • Note: Address for Symicon:

      • Symicon 
      C. Mixa & S. Synek 
      Hunostr. 44 
      D-94036 Passau 
      Telephone: +49 851 81577 
      Fax: +49 851 81505 
      e-mail:  symicon@gmx.net
      http://www.symicon.de
6. Crystal Cathedral Garden Grove, California V/273 280 approx. 18,000
Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1388, 1959 (Philharmonic Hall, NYC)/Ruffatti
  • Four Masterworks for Organ, Frederick Swann - Gothic G 49049
  • Gothic G 58519
  • Organ Under Glass, Peter Baicchi [available from the Crystal Cathedral Bookstore, (714) 971-4148]
7. First Church of Christ, Scientist Boston, Massachusetts IV/238 173 13,483**
Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1203, 1952
  • Recording by staff organist available through CS reading rooms
8. St. Matthew Lutheran Church Hanover, Pennsylvania IV/231 234 14,341
Austin Opus 1215
  • Bach to Sousa, James Dale - Pines Recordings PRCD-101
9. First Baptist Church Jackson, Mississippi V/231 178 12,877
E.M.Skinner/Casavant/Keates-Geissler, 1990
  • None available
10. St. Bartholomew's New York City, New York V/225 170 12,422
E. M. Skinner Opus 275, 1917/Opus 651, 1927/Opus 832, 1930/Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1405, 1959
  • Hyperion CDA 66605
11. The Riverside Church New York City, New York V/216 192 12,406
Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1118, 1953; Pearson 1995-1996
  • Pro Organo CD 7016
  • The Art of Virgil Fox - EMI CDM 5 65426 2 4
  • The Art of Virgil Fox, Volume II - EMI CDM 7243 5 65913 2 5
  • Organ Music from France:  The Art of Virgil Fox, Volume III - EMI CDM 7243 5 66386 2 4
  • Soli Deo Gloria - Virgil Fox 1912-1980 - Bainbridge BCD 8005
  • Virgil Fox Encores - RCA Living Presence 26612512? 09026-61251-2?
12. The Mormon Tabernacle Salt Lake City, Utah V/206 170 11,623
Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1075, 1945
  • Mormon Tabernacle Organ, John Longhurst (1983) - Philips 412-217-2
  • A Tabernacle Organ Duo Extravaganza, Robert Cundick & John Longhurst (1991) - Argo 430 426-2
  • The Mormon Tabernacle Organ, Clay Christiansen (1993) - Klavier KCD 11044
  • In The Shadows of the Everlasting Hills, Richard Elliott (1994) - Pro Organo CD 7036
  • In Dulci Jubilo: Christmas Music on the Mormon Tabernacle Organ, John Longhurst, Clay Christiansen, and Richard Elliott (1995) - BCS 9504-4
13. Calvary Church Charlotte, North Carolina V/205 208 11,499
Möller Opus 11739, 1990
14. The Opera House Sydney, Australia V/205 127 127 approx. 10,000
Sharp, 1979
Largest pipe organ in Australia; largest mechanical-action organ in the world
  • Toccata and Fugue, Peter Hurford - Decca 511 929-2

    • (also known as Organ Favourites Decca 425 013-2) 
  • Organ Duets, Robert Ampt and Amy Johansen
15.*** Woolsey Hall
Yale University		 New Haven, Connecticut IV/197 177 12,646
E.M. Skinner Opus 722, 1928; retained much from previous Steere (1915) and Hutchings-Votey (1902)
16.*** Washington National Cathedral Washington, D.C. IV/197? 155 10,450
E. M. Skinner Opus 510, 1937/Aeolian-Skinner Opus 883, 1958-1964
17.*** Broadway Baptist Church Fort Worth, Texas V/191 184 10,650
Casavant, 1996
18.*** Second Baptist Church Houston, Texas V/189 192 10,412
Rodgers, 1987
  • In His Presence, Joyce Jones (1988) - WORD Music #7019085504 (out of print?)
  • Organ Masterpieces from France and Germany, Richard Morris (1988) - R&R CD002

    • [available from Rodgers, 1300 NE 25th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97123 and R&R Records, 5801 Whispering Pines CIrcle, Mableton, GA 30059]
19.*** Marienbasilika Kevelaer, Germany V/172? 124?
Romanus Seifert, 1907
20.*** Curtis Sequicentennial Organ
Irvine Auditorium, University of Pennsylvania		 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania IV/168 170 10,731
Austin Opus 1416, 1926
21.*** Sydney Town Hall Sydney, Australia V/160 127 127 8,756
William Hill, 1890; Pogson 1972/82 
World's only full-length 64' reed
  • 2 CDs by David Drury available from ABC Classics (ABC 8.770019, 8.770003)
See also:  http://users.interact.net.au/~pwaa/sydneyt.html, http://theatreorgans.com/sydney/
22.*** The Cleveland Convention Center Cleveland, Ohio V/168 147? ?
E. M. Skinner, 1921, opus 328
23.*** Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart Newark, New Jersey IV/154 165 10,000
Schantz, 1953
24.*** Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Buffalo, New York V/152 178 ?
Kegg, 1996
25.*** Ocean Grove Auditorium Ocean Grove, New Jersey V/152 140 9,000+
Hope-Jones
26.*** Metropolitan United Methodist Detroit, Michigan V/151 110 ?
Möller
27.*** Longwood Gardens Kennett Square, Pennsylvania IV/147? 158 10,010
Aeolian, 1930; M.P. Moller, 1958
28.*** Cathedral of St. John the Divine New York City, New York IV/141 8,035?
 Aeolian-Skinner
29.*** Riga Dom Cathedral Latvia IV/144 116 124 6,768
E. F. Walcker, Opus 413, 1883
  • Frederik Magle: The Infinite Second, Frederik Magle, organ; Latvian Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra/Dzintars Josts - EMI 5555972
  • Max Reger: Orgelwerke Vol. 2, Martin Sander - Motette CD 12001
  • Franz Liszt: Aeuvres pour orgue (organ works), Vincent Genvrin - Aventure-Decouverte AVD01
30.*** St. Thomas Church New York, New York IV/138 9,050
E. M. Skinner, 1913; Aeolian-Skinner, 1956; Adams, ?
31.*** First Baptist Church Winston-Salem, North Carolina IV/134 7,631
M. P. Moller, 1969
32.*** Notre Dame Basilica Montreal, Quebec IV/122 97 ~7,000
Casavant, Opus 26/1034, 1891, 1924, 1991
  • Oeuvres de Bach, Pierre Grandmaison - Select CC 15-11 
  • Oeuvres de Franck, Pierre Grandmaison - Select CC 15-133
  • Daveluy, Concerto pour orgue et orchestre, Gaston Arel - SRC003 / RCI 560
33.*** Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Fort Lauderdale, Florida V/117 ~7,000
Ruffatti
.
34.*** Catedral Metropolitana de São Paulo São Paulo, Brazil V/112 120 10,200
Balbiani Vegessi Bossi, Italy, 1954
Largest pipe organ in South America
  • CD APO-001 (1997) - works by Bach, Rheinberger, Boellmann Dubois, Messiaen, Vieira
35.*** Rockefeller Chapel
University of Chicago		 Chicago, Illinois IV/110 126 12,000+
E. M. Skinner, 1928
See http://www.uchicago.edu/aff/rockefeller/ and follow link to Music and then Sacred Sounds.
36.*** St. Patrick's Cathedral New York, NY V/? 202
Peragallo 1994/5
37.*** Auditorio Nacional Mexico City V/? 185
Tamburini 1959
38.*** Hammond Castle Museum Gloucester, Massachussetts, USA IV/125? 144 8,200?
Please send any updates, comments, or corrections to Michael Laird.
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