St John’s Church, Gordon – Update

11 months into a project, we are pleased to say we are not far away from putting the tools down and to start packing! Factory work of stage 1 is nearing its completion and it is a big milestone. The four-manual instrument in symphonic-romantic style is designed by St John’s Church Director of Music Dr Brett McKern and SIOC Director John Hargraves and comprised of pipes by Hill, Norman & Beard from the 1934 organ formerly in First Church of Christ Scientist, Christchurch, the 1928 (#2655) HN&B Christie organ in St Stephens Presbyterian Church, Lower Hutt and the 1907 Norman & Beard organ in First Presbyterian Church, Dunedin.

 For those in the know this is what we are working at:

Working with their usual precision, our men are utilizing their skills and knowledge with the utmost dedication.

Brand new Tasmanian blackwood mobile drawstop console and platform by Mike Young and American oak case by Moritz Fassbender have been crafted to perfection and now undergoing the final processes of staining, spraying and polishing.  

Pipes – both flues and reeds have been carefully selected by John Hargraves, with personal assistance from Dr McKern, cleaned and repaired. Some had to be purchased new from F. Booth & Son of the UK and Tim Gilley of Australia. All 2,056 of them adjusted and voiced by Christopher Templeton and John Gray. The big Open Woods and Bourdons have been mitred by Julian Shaw to fit the fine, but unusual space under the church rafters.

The old N&B slider Swell soundboard has been meticulously overhauled by John Cookson. 2 new soundboards – Choir electro-magnetic and Great slider – have been built by Moritz Fassbender and Gerald Green. All three – neatly wired, with the pipes racked in and stayed. 14 chests and 5 reservoirs, some refurbished, others brand new (by Neil Hooper, John Cookson, Gerald Green, Moritz Fassbender) have been executed to the highest standard and now awaiting the final testing.

4 deluxe keyboards, draw stops and tabs from P & S Organ Supply (England) are fitted in the console. Integrated Control System ICS-4000 from Peterson Electro-Musical Products (USA), as well as thousands of other multi-coloured and multi-purposed cables, connecting different parts of the Chancel organ have been and are still being wired by Kris Shaw and Bryan Jones.

It’s “all hands-on-deck” now, when the D-Day for loading the container is in such a close proximity. The Rendall organ has been taken out of St John’s Church to clear the area for the builders to make a new space before the Chancel organ arrives. Careful planning is well under way in regards to its shipping and installation. Exciting time!