Recently Saved Historic Organs at Risk

Thaxted Parish Church, Essex

The Henry Cephas Lincoln organ in Thaxted Church is the earliest surviving English church organ that retains all its original parts. It was built for St.John’s Chapel, Bedford Row, London in 1821. When that chapel closed it was moved to the north transept of Thaxted Church in 1858. It was little repaired or altered and, although failing, was recorded for the BIOS Historic Organ Sound Archive. It was restored in 2014 by Goetze & Gwynn.  The organ now looks, sounds and plays as it did in 1821.

Further details of this organ can be found in record N18436 on The National Pipe Organ Register.

Although at risk for many years, the Thaxted organ was restored before the Historic Organs at Risk Register was established.

Christ Church, Spitalfields, London

Nicholas Hawksmoor’s monumental church houses Richard Bridge’s equally impressive organ of 1735. This famous instrument was the largest organ in England at the time of its construction. Neglected and out of use for many years, the organ has been stripped of Victorian accretions and restored to its original glory. The work was undertaken by William Drake and Joost de Boer in 20014-15 with Nicholas Thistlethwaite and William McVicker as consultants.

Further details of this organ can be found in record H00969 on The National Pipe Organ Register.

Although at risk for many years, the Spitalfields organ was restored before the Historic Organs at Risk Register was established.

St Teilo, Cardiff

1902 Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, Paris

Rare unaltered Cavaillé-Coll

Listed Grade I       

Originally buIlt for St Theodore, Pontycymer, it was planned for this organ to be relocated to St Teilo’s. This plan is no longer to be implemented so this compact and freestanding instrument now been donated to the R.C.Diocese of Leeds for their music programme and has now been moved to Leeds. This is the only Cavaillé-Coll in the UK to retain original pipework, console and action.

Further details of this organ can be found in record P00394 on The National Pipe Organ Register.

This instrument has now been moved to Leeds.

Gloucester United Reformed Church

William Sweetland, Bath 1890  Listed Grade II*      

A fully restored example of the work of the leading nineteenth-century west-country organ builder with an unusual architect-designed case. The building has now been sold to a Christian denomination who intend to keep the instrument. 

Further details of this organ can be found in record R00038 on The National Pipe Organ Register.

St Mungo, Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, Scotland (Episcopal)

A single manual 9-stop instrument by Lloyd of Nottingham          

Listed grade II*  

This organ has been saved, having been purchased by St Chad’s Cathedral, Birmingham. A fully restored example of the work of the leading nineteenth-century west-country organ builder with an unusual architect-designed case. The building has now been sold to a Christian denomination who intend to keep the instrument. 

Further details of this organ can be found in record R00214 on The National Pipe Organ Register.