Shove Organ

The Shove Chapel organ was build by the Welte-Tripp Organ Company of Sound Beach, Connecticut in 1931 and was recently selected by the Organ Historical Society as “an instrument of exceptional historic merit worthy of preservation.”

The organ includes 3,065 pipes of various sizes and more than 200 miles of copper wire. The smallest pipe in the organ is of wheat straw, only 1/2-inch in length, weighing less than one ounce. The largest pipe, made of sugar pine wood from California, is 16 inches in circumference, stands 16 feet high, and weighs more than 300 pounds.The organ is of the concert type and, with the exception of drums, is capable of reproducing all the music of a symphony orchestra. Built into the body of the organ are a harp, chimes with full wood, brass and string divisions. The console, of beautifully grained oak, is of English design. It comprises three manuals with 65 draw stops, 26 couplers, 37 combination pistons and 25 accessory pistons.

The organ is operated by wind pressure, furnished by a 15 horsepower motor in the basement. The motor provides from 5 to 17 inches of pressure, the latter being equivalent to one pound to the square inch. The instrument is operated by remote control. The relay mechanism fills one entire room in the basement of the chapel. This room contains thousands of silver contacts.

The organ, which weighs 40,000 pounds, is enclosed in a hand-carved oak case, The original case cost $3,500. One of the many unique features is that the display pipes, which the congregation sees, also are speaking pipes. In many organs the so-called display of pipes are merely ornaments. The highest spire is 30 feet tall, the entire front giving the appearance of a miniature cathedral.

In 1999, the console was rebuilt by Morel & Associates, Inc. The new console is changed only in height and shoe placement to bring it to AGO standards. An in 1931, when all the modern conveniences were included, so were they again in 1999. These include ninety-nine levels of memory, programmable crescendo and full organ, piston sequencer and MIDI capabilities.

Distinguished Organist Series

The Distinguished Organists Series at Shove Chapel is co-sponsored by the Organist, the Chaplain and the Dean of Colorado College to bring to the Colorado Springs community some of the world’s finest organists. The response to these programs has been overwhelming. Hundreds of organ aficionados packed Shove Chapel to hear unforgettable programs from world renowned recording artists such as Peter Richard Conte, James Diaz, and Haskell Thomson. Recently, we have been recognized as “one of America’s top venues for distinguished organists.” Information about future programs is available at the Chapel Office, 389-6638.

Friends of Shove Chapel Organ

The renovation process of the Shove Organ is an ongoing one. The two remaining phases – releathering the windcrest or air reservoir and reconditioning the reeds and flues – are estimated to cost $200,000. Donations towards the renovation effort are being accepted. Please make checks payable to “Colorado College” and mail to:

Shove Memorial Chapel Organ Renovation Fund c/o Chaplain’s Office Colorado College 14 East Cache La Poudre Street Colorado Springs, CO 80903

If you would like to be on our mailing list and receive notice of future organ concerts please call the chapel office at 389-6638.

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Tour

Shove Memorial Chapel was built in 1931 as a gift of Eugene Shove, CC alumnus and trustee. English themes run throughout the building to honor the British clergy in the Shove family:

• The chapel has been called “The best example of Norman Romanesque architecture in the Uniteds States.”
• The chapel is built on the model of Winchester Cathedral.
• The stained glass windows along the nave depict scenes from English church history.
• The Morning or Pilgrim Chapel (in southeast corner of building) contains Shove family history; stones from Winchester Cathedral, the family’s home parish in Gatton, Oxford University and Cambridge University.

The plaque at the West doors reads “Open to the services of any and all denominations according to the express wish of the donor.”
The same spirit of openness to all faiths and welcome to all peoples exists in the chapel’s use to this day. While required chapel attendance was discontinued in 1956, the chapel remains an active place. All-College convocations, small group Bible study, Colorado Springs community celebrations, worship, support group and individual prayers and meditation account for the thousands of people who use the chapel each year.

Education is the theme of the upper stained glass. The East Rose Window represents the classic disciplines (trivium, quadrivium, professions), the South Rose Window represents the great figures of the humanities, the North Rose Window represents the great figures of the sciences, and the West Triple Window represents Christ, the great teacher. Despite the Scopes Trial of 1925, Charles Darwin is included as one of the great teachers of science.

Five bells constitute the chapel chimes. The great bell is 6′ 8″ in diameter, weighs over 5 1/2 tons and is inscribed with the Kahlil Gibran quote, “Yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream.”

The chapel has its own Rocky Mountain gargoyles. A wolf and mountain lion can be seen on the southeast exterior of the building.

If you have time, you may want to take an especially energetic tour up the 102 steps of the chapel tower for a spectacular view of the campus and the Pikes Peak region. Stop at the Shove Chapel office for a key. The second door off the spiral staircase leads to the bells. The third and final door opens to the top of the tower.

The chapel seats 987 with the lower section containing 38 pews, seating approximately 580. The aisle is 110′ long. The side chapel will seat approximately 49.

Chancel Rose Window

The Chancel Rose window is the first stained glass that you see when you enter the chapel. It rests above the organ towers which frame the circular shape of the window perfectly.

In the top medallion of the window is the figure theologia. She represents Christian theology. She wears the chausable, holds the cross in her left hand and supports the Bible with her right. On her shoulder is the Holy Spirit, her guide and inspiration, represented as a dove.

Clockwise from the top are Medicina, Grammatica, Rhetorica, Dialectica, Arithmetica, Astronomia, Musica, and Lex.

About Shove Chapel

Shove Chapel was donated and built in 1930 to meet the religious needs of the students, though Colorado College is not religiously affiliated. Built in the Norman Romanesque style, the Chapel seats 987 people and has five bells. Many stained glass windows are located throughout, each with its own history. The ceilings in Shove depict themes corresponding to different Biblical passages. Shove Chapel was designed after Winchester Cathedral and even has a stone from the cathedral as a cornerstone. Shove is non-denominational and houses many on-campus activities, including religious services of all denominations, drum circles, meditation groups, and special meetings. Many community-service activities in the city and the region are coordinated by Chaplain Bruce Coriell, who wants the chapel to be used by as many people as possible. The Chapel is open daily for students from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.