History:
The first building Asbury worshipped in was called the Old Red Meeting House. It was built in 1801 and served as the chapel for this congregation until 1856 when a new frame church was erected. The first mention of an organ that they have for the congregation of Asbury is in the 1856 building, “Its entrance was in approximately the same position as the present church (sometimes referred to as "The Great Stone Church") entrance and on entering the building, one faced the doorway into the main 
auditorium. The pews were placed on each side of a central aisle with a stove next to the center of each side wall. The pulpit was in the center of the rear wall of the church and music was furnished by a reed organ. On the other hand, one entering the church could turn to the right or left through the vestibule and climb one of the stairways to the right or left balconies." [From the 1928 publication, “Asbury Church One Hundred and Fifty Years After,” by Jay Williams.]
Asbury’s First Known Pipe Organ: 
Once the congregation moved into the 1887 structure (the
Great Stone Church), one can see through photographs that they worshipped with a pipe organ—probably from around the time the building was built in 1887. What they 
know about the organ in that 1887 structure, is what can be observed in photographs, with the earliest photographs being from1907.
One of two photographs is with Rev. Martindale seated in front of the organ with the chancel beautifully decorated for Thanksgiving, with the second 1907 photo just of the instrument. It looks to have been a small tracker instrument,
the console being attached to the organ, the pipes all enclosed except for the one rank of
façade pipes that were beautifully painted,
to give decoration to the enclosed pipes. The size of the enclosure looks to have encorporated about 10-15 ranks of pipes. That building is still standing and serving two present-day congregations, Faith Community Church and Wicomico Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Hayman Gets A Hammond!
During the Directorship of Mrs. Arla Hayman (Director of Music 1942-1949) and the second term of Rev. Hamilton P. Fox (1923-26 and 1937-46) it is assumed the pipe organ failed. The discussion to move to the suburbs began in the late 40s, with the decision to move to Camden Avenue being made in 1955. So, maybe in light of the foreseen move of the congregation, they decided not to invest in a pipe organ or repairs. The fact that the electronic organ was just becoming popular might have also influenced their thinking. In any event, they were considering a move to the suburbs when Mrs. Hayman was the director and they decided to purchase their next organ. During her tenure, by 1944, the organ dissappears, with photographs of the Music Program where the pipe organ has been removed, and the space for the pipes being converted into more seating for choirs. The organ was replaced with a Concert Model Hammond Organ, which during this period in organ history was a state-of-the-art purchase. This model instrument and the Hammond Organ Company, were the standard by which electronic organs would be made for decades. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammond_organ.
Virgil Fox on the Eastern Shore in 1955? 
There is a copy of a concert, performed on the Hammond, by world known Concert Artist, Virgil Fox with Jo Anne Little and Joseph Ambrust (Director of Music 1954-55) assisting at the piano for an organ concerto that was performed. Click here to view that Virgil Fox Concert. There is no year placed on the date of that program, but one can see, it was during the pastorate of Rev. Robert Mackey (1948-70) and more conclusive, during the Music Directorship of Joseph Ambrust; with the Columbia and Victor Red Seal Recordings associating Virgil Fox with them in 1955. Fox’s concert on this organ was during his tenure as organist at the famous Riverside Church in New York City from 1946-65. Virgil Fox was a world famous touring organist right up until his death in 1980. He attracted audiences of monumental proportions, more than any other organist prior or since around the world. There is a biography of Virgil Fox’s life and legacy at http://www.virgilfoxlegacy.com/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgil_Fox#Riverside_Church.
Asbury Moves to Camden Avenue With A Casavant!
In 1950s when the parish was finalizing their plans for the new worship facility on Camden Avenue, the Music Committee was also finalizing their plans for the installation of the pipe organ that would be placed in the worship center. Minutes of the January 7, 1959, Board Meeting, affirming the Casavant purchase may be seen by clicking here. Members of that Music Committee were Oscar Carey, Chair, Mr. Josepf Privette, (Music Director 1956-1965), Richard Holloway, George & Winnie Kitzmiller, Richard Jones,
and John & Helen Downing. The final selection of organ builders considered were Aeolian Skinner Organ Company, Boston; Moller Organ Company, Baltimore; and Casavant Freres, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada. They do not have a date, but they know that Oscar & Harriett Carey, Joseph Privette, and John & Helen Downing went to
Canada to make the final selection on the instrument that would be purchased. The Carey's and Joe Privette are pictured in the photo to the right at the factory in Canada, with the then President of Casavant, Charles Perrault--testing out the new console and organ pipes which you can see in the far left. On August 10, 1961, a contract with Casavant Freres was signed by G.I. Gaskill, Vice-Chairman for the Trustees; George F. Chandler, Secretary, the then President and General Manager of Casavant, C. H. Perrault. L.I. Phelps was the Tonal Director. Thus the story of the Asbury Casavant is born, as the Asburians begin their journey with an instrument that would inspire them and many people of faith for the next 50 years.
On November 12, 2000, Thomas Roe wrote in his "History of Asbury Church" the following about the Asbury Casavant, "And of course, our most mighty Casavant Organ. The choice of this organ is a tribute to the Music Committee and its Chairman, Oscar Carey."
