History of Knox Presbytarian Church and its organs
Notes are courtesy of Robert McLintock
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Knox Church building was designed by the Dunedin notable architect R.A.Lawson and was begun in 1874. In his plans there was provision for choir seating and space for a pipe organ. When Dr Begg was shown the plans for the Church, he immediately drew a pencil through the space reserved for the organ, with the remark “that it was not wanted”. Amended plans were prepared and the church was built with the pulpit against the north wall of the building. As a result, the later introduction of the organ resulted in a cramped and unsuitable arrangement for the choir.
The first organ was built by T. C Lewis and Son and was opened in 1884. The musical life of the church grew and so did the demands on the Lewis organ. In 1924 it was decided to replace the organ with a larger one, this happened in 1931 when the Willian Hill & Son & Norman & Beard instrument was installed. The organ served the church well for the next 30 years. In 1961 the church was preparing to celebrate its centenary. To note this historical event, among other things, a fine new window in the north wall was being planned. To enable this, extensive alterations were required to the front of the church. It was necessary as part of the major alterations to divide the organ and remove the console from its central position. This work was completed in 1963 with a dedication service in September of that year. The work of dividing the organ was entrusted to Matla & Sons, Pipe organ manufacturers. It seems no major work was done on the organ, but by the late 1960’s trouble began to arise. In 1974 a complete rebuild was undertaken by the South Island Organ Co. The work included tonal alteration, new console, as well as new casework. |
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Need directions to Knox Church? Click here
Parking notes - Knox is in town. There is no parking onsite. Best to user metered parking if driving
Specifications
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Great Organ
Quintaton 16' Large Open Diapason* 8' Open Diapason 8' Stopped Diapason 8' Dulciana 8' Principal 4' Clear Flute 4' Twelfth 2 ⅓ Fifteenth 2' Mixture Ill Trumpet 8' Octave Trumpet 4' Sw to Gt Pos to Gt Swell Organ (Enclosed)
Contra Gamba 16' Open Diapason 8' Zauberflote 8' Salicional 8' Voix Celeste 8' Principal 4' Rohr Flute 4' Nazard 2⅔ Blockflote 2’ Tierce 1 3/5 Scharf 33:36 11 Mixture 22:26:29 111 Contra Oboe 16’ Horn 8’ Oboe 8’ Clarion 4’ Sw Octave Sw Sub-Octave Sw Unison Off Tremulant |
Positive Organ (Unenclosed)
Gedeckt 8' Principal 4' Chimney Flute 4' Gemshorn 2' Larigot 1⅓ Cymbal 36:40:43 1111 Krumm horn 8' Trumpet 8' Octave Trumpet 4' Tuba * 8' Sw to Pos Tremulant * 2002 additions Pedal Organ
Resultant Bass 32' Open Wood 16' Violone 16' Bourdon 16' Contra Gamba 16' Quintaton 16' Octave 8' Base Flute 8’ Choral Bass 4’ Octave Flute 4’ Mixture 15:19:22 111 Trombone 16’ Bassoon 16’ Trumpet 8’ Rohr Schalmel 4’ Gt to Ped Sw to Ped Pos to Ped |
