Waltham Abbey Music

The Organ

In 1819, the church received an organ from a local architect Thomas Leverton, whose tomb can be seen by the altar. This organ was built by Flight & Robson, English organ builders, and had one manual, six stops and a gothic case. It was erected in the new upper west gallery, where the present organ presides today. The organ also had a barrel organ attachment which could play the following tunes: Old 100th, Old 121st, Tallis’ Canon, St. Anne, Bedford, Abington and Coote’s 42nd. In 1850, J.W. Walker & Sons took over care of the organ, and added a ‘Venetian’ swell organ of four stops. The complete organ was reconstructed in 1860, with new swell and pedal divisions. This year also saw the first organ recitals, by the then organist, Joseph Chalk.

Between 1864/65, the main organ was cleaned, and a new one manual and pedal organ of eight stops was constructed in the chancel at a cost of £200. This organ was however sold in 1879. This year also saw the organ completely dismantled and reconstructed at the East End of the north aisle where the Unity chapel now presides. The organ occupied this position for the next 74 years. In 1893, some extra stops were added, and a third manual installed. No major work was done following this, until 1949, when the blower was electrified, as was the swell box. First aid was, however given in 1941 following war damage. In 1953, the organ was completely dismantled and rebuilt in its original position in the west gallery, with the console on the north side of the chancel. The console has since been moved to the south side, behind the choir stalls.

The most recent work came in 1995, with the entire restoration and cleaning of the organ, and some extra stops. Stop knobs and keyboards were entirely renewed; work done by Principal Pipe Organs of York. Following the attack on the Abbey Church in January 2003 when the organ console sustained heavy damage, the firm of Harrison and Harrison of Durham took over maintenance of the organ.

Having raised a significant amount of money to provide an organ for the next century, we have decided that the best option is to refurbish the Walker organ, fixing what is old, worn out and broken, and restoring the configuration of stops and pipework to be as authentic as possible. For details, see the Waltham Abbey Church Heritage Organ Appeal.

How does the Organ Work?

If you would like to know how a pipe organ works, refer to the following web pages:

• Pipedreams - How a Pipe Organ Works
• Pipe Organs 101 - Lawrence Phelps and Associates
• Pipe organ - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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