|
|
|
|
St Andrew's URC, CardiffTHE ORGAN
The organ was built in 1900 by Harrison & Harrison Ltd, Durham and remains largely unchanged to this day. H&H were approached in March 1898, and selected to build the organ the following year. The firm's selection came after they had built three other large organs in Cardiff - St Catherine's Church (1898), Newport Road United Methodist Free Church (1897) and Richmond Road Congregational Church (1898). Roath Park Presbyterian Church was the first contact H&H had with the Presbyterian Church in South Wales. The original, full, scheme proposed would have cost £1150-0-0, and would have provided 3 manuals and 35 stops. This was felt too expensive, and many stops were prepared for only, reducing the cost to £800-0-0. Further donations during the building of the organ allowed for the addition of the Swell Tremulant, Mixture and Horn. The stops marked # in the specification were left prepared for. In 1903, the Choir Organ was fully enclosed, and the Choir Orchestral Oboe and Swell Vox Humana were added. The Great Small Open Diapason was added in 1910. The original soundboards, console, windchests along with the original drawstop, Great, Choir and Pedal actions remain. The Swell action was modernised in 1933, and the pneumatic lever replaced with a tubular pneumatic action. Today, in 2006, the organ continues to perform every week for services, weddings and funerals, giving great pleasure to the congregation and organist. Time has taken its toll. Much dirt has accumulated inside and the leatherwork is starting to show its age, but there are, as yet, no plans to overhaul or restore the organ. The organ's centenary was celebrated in 2000 with a special rendition of "happy birthday" and a cake baked by the organist's daughter!
|
Email Webmaster
©2004 St Andrews United Reformed Church, Cardiff