Little information
is available regarding the church organs prior to the new church constructed
in 1915. With the construction of the present building, a three manual
Gottfried organ was installed. This instrument, like many organs of the
period, leaned toward orchestral or theatrical. Dr. Barry Henry, who along
with John Kirkpatrick, restored the original Gottfried organ prior to
it's ill-advised sale, stated that the sound of the organ was so orchestral
that its strings rivaled the finest theatre organ.
The original three-manual
Gottfried console installed in the present church. This instrument was
removed after the departure of Msgr. Pendergast and replaced by the present
Moller. Seated at the console is Miss Amelie Dufilho who was church organist
for many years.
Hilda Louise Caboche,
organist at St. Rose De Lima Parish from 1940 through the 60's. Miss.
Caboche also taught at St. Rose of Lima Parish School. She died in 1997
at the age of 85. Other organists recalled are Miss Nisida Louque, Miss
M. Laudumiey who played in the 1870's, and a brilliant but blind organist
named Earnest Demoruelle who played in the period at the end of the Nineteenth-Century..
