About

The magnificent church was designed by J L Pearson and was consecrated in 1887. The organ was built by T.C. Lewis, beginning with the Choir Organ, which was first used in 1882 when the eastern part of the church was taken into use; the rest of the instrument followed in stages. It stands in a chamber high in the north transept, facing south and west. The detached console was originally placed at floor level opposite the organ, in the south chancel aisle; the action was, even at that early date, electro-pneumatic. This became unreliable, and in 1912 Lewis & Co changed it to pneumatic, with a new console on the north side of the chancel.

From 1920 onwards, various alterations were made by Henry Willis & Sons, who had taken over the Lewis firm: these included the addition of a Pedal Trombone and Choir Tuba and the
displacement of the Choir Salicet by a Nazard. In 1927, the actions were converted back to an electro-pneumatic system. Following war damage, repairs were undertaken by N P Mander in 1947.

In 1999, the organ was overhauled and renovated. The 1912 console was returned to its original position in the south chancel aisle. In restoring the pipework, the aim was to reinstate the organ’s Lewis character, which had been somewhat overlaid by subsequent changes. A new Pedal Posaune and Choir Salicet, in the Lewis style, were provided in place of stops that had been added; the Tuba, Double Trumpet and Claribel Flute are Willis stops. In 2024, the organ was cleaned, and the Great and Choir soundboards were restored. A new soundboard was provided for the Pedal Sub Bass unit, and a 32ft extension was provided.