Brothers John Henry and Caleb Sherwood Odell founded the organ building firm of J.H. & C.S. Odell in 1859. Despite strong competition from other well-established organ builders based in New York City in the late-nineteenth century, the Odells enjoyed an immediate popularity, turning out an average of 10 to 12 organs a year by 1870.

The Odells distinguished themselves as builders of refined instruments for worship from the outset; it is no coincidence that many of the major religious edifices of New York City have or had an Odell instrument at some point in their history. A short list would include St. Patrick’s Cathedral, St. Bartholomew’s, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian, Marble Collegiate, St. Charles Borromeo and St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

One of most notable instruments built by the firm is their Opus 190 (III/45, 1881) located at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, in Troy, New York. This unique organ is believed to be the only extant 19th Century concert hall instrument in this country.

Operating from the works on West 42nd Street until well after the turn of the century, the firm moved to Westchester County, New York in 1928. Over the course of the 20th century, the firm has survived the Great Depression, two World Wars and drastic changes in the pipe organ industry. In 2009 the firm will celebrate 150 years of a family organ building legacy; J.H. & C.S. Odell is the only organ building firm founded in New York City in the late-nineteenth century that remains operating today, and is the oldest family-owned and operated organ building firm in America.

Under the leadership of Edward Odell, today the firm is active in a modern facility in East Hampton, Connecticut with a staff and a shop equipped for all aspects of organ building.

Recent installations include the firm’s Opus 644 (2005) at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Bridgehampton, New York, Opus 645 (2006) at the United Church of Westport and Weston, Westport, Connecticut and Opus 647 (2008) at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in Nyack, New York. Each of these organs have been featured in issues of The Diapason magazine.

Other projects include the comprehensive restoration of Hinners Opus 1550 for Old South Haven Presbyterian Church and a new four manual console and case for Fair Street Church of Kingston, New York. Current projects include restorations for Scarborough Presbyterian Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal, Wallingford and a new console in gothic style for St. John the Evangelist, Newport.