The Organ

The History of the Organ

When the first chapel was built on LeFevre Terrace in 1850, there was no organ. The reminiscences of Mary Goodwin record that "Mr Furnell ... gave very useful services in conducting the singing, using a tuning fork, as there was no organ. When an organ was first talked about, many pious members thought it was too worldly a thing for the church to possess."

In 1870 the present church in Tynte Street was opened, and from 1870 to 1876 services were accompanied by a harmonium.

The Church Organ, 1948

In May 1876, the local organ builder J. W. Wolff completed his fifteenth instrument, which was bought by the Church for 350 pounds and installed against the southern wall (the opposite end to the present organ). With a manual bellows and eight foot square frame, sixteen feet in height, it was the largest pipe organ built in the State at that time. An opening recital was held on 4 July 1876 with organists James Crocker (NABC), W.B. Chinner (Pirie Street Methodist) and J. Shakespeare (Stow) taking part.

In 1890 the specification for a new organ was devised by Professor J. Ives, who was the organist at the time, and it was built by the Melbourne firm of Fincham & Hobday under the direction of Mr J. E. Dodd at a cost of 1350 pounds. It was placed in its present position in the Church, and with the largest pneumatic action of its day in Adelaide, this instrument was equipped with a mains water driven bellows. It incorporated some of the original 1870 pipes, which are still visible in the organ chamber today. The opening recital was given by Professor Ives on March 26, 1891, and it is this organ which forms the foundation of the present Organ.

Alterations to quicken the action, change some stops and improve the Swell were completed in 1914. An electric motor replaced the water driven bellows in 1929, great difficulty having been experienced during the summer months in obtaining enough water to supply the power necessary to drive the motor.

In September 1958 the organ was dismantled for a complete overhaul and rebuild by J. E. Dodd & Sons. The chamber was enlarged and new stops added. The completed instrument was dedicated in June 1959 with Organist Lewis Barrett at the console.

Several further alterations were planned at the time of the rebuild, which were finally carried out in 1968. Further restorations, alterations and additions were made between 1988 and 1990.

It is the privilege of this church to hold in trust one of Adelaide's finest church organs, now consisting of a three-manual instrument of fifty-three speaking stops and 2456 pipes.

Church Organists

Organists/Choirmasters who have served this Church over the years are: