A History of the Organ of St Margaret Pattens Church

Much of the early history of the organ was printed in the Parish Magazine some years previous to 1892 and in October that year was reproduced in a supplement to the “Musical Standard”—‘The Organs of Great Britain number 45’.

The first reference to an organ is in 1516

“Item paid in expense when we bought oure organnes Xd” Having spent 10d over the bargain 1s 5d was added “when we paid the organ maker for the organnes”. What the instrument cost is, unfortunately unknown only that  4 5s 4d was “paied in goode mony towards the bynng of the organnes, which we received in refuse mony oute of the box at oure entering”

Next year 1.5d was paid “for halters for the organs”. This is not readily intelligible, for though they were send back to the organ builder for repair several times, this could hardly have been needed after a single year’s use. Possibly the halters were reused from another organ possibly a ‘portative organ’- a type which were common in the 12th Century and for the next three centuries.

The Parish record shows “Item in mony by us received for the olde organnes solde into the countres by agreement”.

In 1519, there is another reference to a charge for the repair of “olde organnes” sold presumably the year before. Possibly the purchase was not happy with what he had bought and demanded a repair which is recorded as costing 6s 8d and “Four porters for brynnyng home them got 8d between them”.

In 1523 there is another reference to “The olde organne”: “Paid to Antony for mendyng of the newe organs, and for selling of the olde organs Xs” (this is reference to Anthony Duddyngton referred to in the book “The Organ” by Professor W L Sumner)

There is no further record of the organ until 1549, there having been a gap in the church accounts during the period 1523 to 1549. However, it is recorded in 1549 that it “followed the plate and vestments, which were sacrificed at the time of the spoliation ‘Item received for the organs, X s’”.

In the year 1557 the old forms of worship had been resumed and there was a charge of 8d “for tewenge the regals on Sent Margetts day (20th July). Which would seem to refer to the celebration of the Patronal Festival, the small instrument known as “the regals” was procured for temporary use

From 1557 to 1746 there is not mention in the records of an organ or organist. This is a considerable period of time but major events occurred in this period, The Reformation, Puritanism and the Commonwealth all of which had significant recorded effects on church music, organs and the playing of organs as well at writ. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that St Margaret Pattens along with many churches throughout the country had no organ and all records for the early part of the period were lost when the church burnt down in the Great Fire of 1666 which started a short distance away.

The record shows that in 1746 “during the incumbency of Dr Birch the present organ, as far as outward appearance goes, was set up”. The oak case is very imposing, embellished with carving of flowers, fruit and musical instruments. A curious feature is the reproduction of a portion of the hymn tune “Hanover”. It is evident the carver was not a musician and it would be impracticable to play”.

The origin of the present instrument is somewhat obscure. A tradition ascribes it to Father Smith and it is possible that some of his work is incorporated in the organ and an opinion has been expressed that the diapasons pre-date the organ builder to whom the organ is most commonly attributed whose name was Thomas Griffin. He was not in factor an organ builder rather a contractor who contracted out the work to others being recorded as a barber by trade. It is thought that it seems likely that he obtained his instruments from Byfield, Jordan and Bridge. It is alleged that for the payment of an annuity he would provide an organ and organist and it is probable that around 1750 he provided this service to St Margaret Pattens Church.

When the church was built there was an uncovered vestibule within the entrance doors. The organ and the gallery on which it stands were added about 1840 at the cost of some  300. The notes say “Griffin received a down payment of  150, an annuity of  20 for his life, with reversion to his widow, he to play and tune the organ, she to incur no responsibility. How this arrangement worked and for how long it worked, it is difficult to say, for there is no mention in the accounts of any payment to Mr Griffin, save much later for tuning, or to any organist till about 1770.”

It is recorded that although Griffin had no musical qualifications or ability he was elected Gresham Professor of Music in 1762 and held that position until 1771 at the time of his death.

There has been some discussion as to whether Griffin was really an organ builder, or an organist. He was commissioned to build the organ at St Helen’s, Bishopsgate in the sum of  500. It is also said that he was appointed organist at St Helen’s, Bishopsgate in 1742 and continued in the post until his death, when he was buried in the church. However, in the agreement there was a clause saying that “he could play by deputy or by proxy”.

J Henry Leffler, who was organist at St Katherine-by-the-Tower recorded many of the organs in England and of the organ in St Margaret Pattens says

“Two setts of keys all through. Compass from GG to D, short octaves. Sw Fiddle G to D

GREAT (9 stops) Open D. (52 pipes, Stop D. 52, Princ. 52, 12th 52, 15th, 52, Tierce 52, Sesquialters IV ranks 156, Trumpet 52, Cornet III ranks to C#130

SWELL (3 stops) Open D. 32 pipes, Stop D. 32, Trumpet 32.

CHOIR (2 stops) Open D. 52 pipes, Stop D. 52

The Swell and Choir are played from the same sett of keys”

The organ appears to have been in this condition until 1856 when it was rebuilt by G M Holdich. The instrument was much improved by the addition of Pedal pipes. However, by 1881 the condition of the organ had deteriorated and “the mechanism was in a dreadful state of decay, and some of the reed stops distressingly harsh”. In the year of 1886 the company of Forster and Andrews rebuilt the organ at a cost of  334 15s 0d and “retained and re-inserted all that was good in it”... The specification then were as follows

GREAT ORGAN CC-G

1.Open Diapason8 feet56 pipes
2.Stopped Diapason8 feet tone56 pipes
3.Gamba8 feet44 pipes
4.Principal4 feet56 pipes
5.Wald Flute4 feet44 pipes
6.Twelfth2.66 feet56 pipes
7.Fifteenth2 feet 56 pipes
8.Mixture3 ranks168 pipes
9.Trumpet8 feet56 pipes


SWELL ORGAN CC-G

1.Double Diapason16 feet56 pipes
2.Open Diapason8 feet56 pipes
3.Stopped Diapason8 feet tone56 pipes
4.Salicional8 feet56 pipes
5.Voix Celestes8 feet44 pipes
6.Principal4 feet56 pipes
7.Fifteenth2 feet56 pipes
8.Cornopean8 feet56 pipes
9.Oboe8 feet56 pipes


PEDAL ORGAN CCC-F

Open Diapason (wood)16 feet 30 notes


COUPLERS

1.Swell to Great
2.Swell to Pedal
3.Great to Pedal
4.Swell to Sub-octave

Three composition pedals in each section.

In 1892, in spite of the recent rebuild, it was considered that the organ was rather inadequate and put “the organist to considerable inconvenience in accompanying the elaborate music rendered at this church” and it was “proposed to add a Choir Organ of some six stops and to increase the pedal organ”

This scheme did not materialise but in August 1911 Messrs Foster and Andrews added a pedal bourdon at a cost of  45. This was the only pneumatic part of the whole organ, the rest being action tracker. In October/November 1945 Messrs J W Walker repaired pipe work and case following enemy action. In November 1946 a “Discus” blower was provided and added by the same firm, this being induced by the fact that the organist was frequently “let down” by his blower! At the same time the tuning contract and care of the organ was transferred from Walkers to Messrs Rushworth & Dreaper.

About this time the Swell Double was not working properly in as far as the mechanism controlling the lowest octave, which is outside the Swell Box, was out of order but this was subsequently corrected.

In 1946 the then specification was as follows:-

2 manuals CC-G
Straight and concave pedals CCC-F
Tracker action
Electric blowing


GREAT ORGAN CC-G

1.Open Diapason8 feet
2.Stopped Diapason8 feet tone
3.Gamba (TC)8 feet
4.Principal4 feet
5.Wald Flute (TC)4 feet
6.Twelfth2.66 feet
7.Fifteenth2 feet
8.Mixture (15.19.22)3 ranks
9.Trumpet8 feet


SWELL ORGAN CC-G

1.Double Diapason16 feet
2.Open Diapason8 feet
3.Stopped Diapason8 feet tone
4.Salicional8 feet
5.Voix Celestes (TC)8 feet
6.Principal4 feet
7.Fifteenth2 feet
8.Cornopean8 feet
9.Oboe8 feet


PEDAL ORGAN CCC-F

Open Diapason16 feet
Bourdon16 feet


COUPLERS

1.Swell to Pedal
2.Great to Pedal
3.Swell to Great
4.Swell to sub octave

Lever Swell pedal
Straight stop jambs – Swell, Pedal and couplers on the Left
Great on the Right
Three composition Pedals each to Swell and Great

In January 1954 a scheme was drawn up in consultation with Messrs Rushworth & Dreaper for a thorough clean and overhaul of the organ together with some tonal additions and mechanical improvements.

The following sets out what was proposed:-

GREAT ORGAN

To overcome the lack of a soft accompanimental stop it was proposed to add a Dulciana 8 feet. This could not be provided without sacrificing an existing stop. The Gamba could have made room for the Dulciana but it was felt that the loss of this fine stop would not compensate the gain of the new register An alternative was to remove the 3-rank Mixture, this giving room on the soundboard for the Dulciana but decapitation of the diapason chorus would have resulted.

With the retention of the Gamba a Tenor C stop, consideration was given to adding a new bottom octave, then a downward extension of a further octave thus giving a Violone 16 foot and a Violone 8 foot on the pedal.

SWELL ORGAN

The Double Diapason to be

a) Made available Also on the pedal or
b) Removed to the pedal only and a Double reed inserted in its place

As the Double Diapason is the rearmost stop on the sound-board, the new reed would have been inaccessible for tuning. The only solution was to extend the swell box to allow for a passage board at the back which, in turn, would have meant brining the whole organ forward: an impracticable step due to insufficient space

A Tremulant, Super Octave and Unison off couplers were also contemplated.

PEDAL ORGAN

With the Swell Double available on the pedal, an Acoustic Bass 32 foot could have been provided from it and the Bourdon 16 foot. As an alternative a 16 foot reed was suggested.

With a Dulciana on the Great, a downward extension was suggested thus providing a Dulciana 16 foot and 8 foot on the pedal

The Great Gamba, with new bottom octave and downward extension a further octave would have enabled Violone 16 foot and 8 foot to be added to the pedal. Bourdon 16 foot and Open Diapason 16 foot to each be extended to 8 foot pitch.

GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS

A new pneumatic stop-key console (built-in) with all the stop keys over Swell Manual

Radiating and Concave R.C.C. pattern pedal board

Balanced Swell Pedal
Extension of Manual Compass to 61 notes
Tubular-pneumatic action throughout

Thumb Pistons

5 to Great, 5 to Swell. Reversibles to Great to Pedal, Swell to Pedal, Swell to Great.

Toe Pistons

5 to Pedal, 5 to Swell (duplicating manual pistons). Reversible Great to Pedal. Stop connecting Great and Pedal pistons

Unfortunately, this scheme proved to be too costly and accordingly a modified scheme was drawn up with the work being carried out in March to June 1956 and which was as follows

GREAT ORGAN

A compromise was reached with the Gamba, by skilful revoicing, with the result that it is now a beautiful solo voice and it functions also as a soft accompanimental stop. The Tenor C compass does occasionally restrict performance of any low writing for the left hand.

SWELL ORGAN

The Double Diapason has been made available on the Pedal Organ as a very soft 16 foot register.

PEDAL ORGAN

The Bourdon has the common fault of being a little too strong for very soft manual work but the derivation of the Swell Double has resulted in an excellent 16 foot bass for this purpose. Consideration was given to a further extension to 8 foot but cost precluded this.

The Bordon 16 foot and Open Diapason 16 foot have both been extended to 8 foot pitch to overcome the lack of 8 foot pitch in the Pedal department. It is interesting to note that in 1856 Holdich added the first Pedal Pipes and in 1956 the pedal has again received attention so that just one hundred years afterwards this important department now more closely approaches what it should be in relation to the manual tonal structure.

GENERAL

New Radiating and Concave R.C.O.- pattern Pedal Board.
Balanced Swell Pedal.
“Great to Pedal” reversible pedal on left-hand side of the penal board It is the interesting to note that the organ, prior to the rebuild, was one of the few which only had the actual drawstop and no duplicating manual or pedal device for this much used coupler.

Opportunity was taken to alter the settings of the composition pedals, which incidentally, were renewed and sited so as to be clear of the balanced swell pedal placed over the centre of the pedal board.

During the reconstruction the following inscription was found on the pedal-action-work: “Cleaned 1899 Percy Chambers”

The specification of the 1956 organ is as follows:-

2 manual CC to G
Radiating and Concave Pedals CCC to F
Tracker Action to manuals, Pneumatic to Pedal
Electric Blowing


GREAT

(2) Open Diapason8 foot
Stopped Diapason8 foot
Gamba (TC)8 foot
Principal4 foot
Wald Flote (TC)4 foot
Twelfth2.66 foot
Fifteenth2 foot
Mixture (15.19.22)
Trumpet8 foot

SWELL

Double Diapason 16 foot
Open Diapason8 foot
(lowest 7 wood)
Stopped Diapason8 foot
Viox Celestes (TC)8 foot
Salicional8 foot
Principal4 foot
Fifteenth2 foot
Cornopan8 foot
Oboe8 foot

PEDAL

Open Diapason16 foot
Bourdon16 foot
Pedal Gedeckt16 footfrom Swell Double Diapason
Bass Flute8 footExtension Bourdon
Octave (Top 12 metal)8 footExtension Open Diapason

COUPLERS
Swell to Pedal
Great to Pedal (duplicated by pedal)
Swell to Great
Swell to sub Octave

Balanced Swell Pedal
3 compositional pedal each to Swell and Great
Straight stop jambs—Swell, Pedal Gedeckt and Couplers on Left, Great and Pedal on Right.
Wind pressure 3.5” throughout Pitch c = 528 @ 60 degrees F.


The Organ stands on the West Gallery


The case-work was thoroughly cleaned revealing the full beauty of the carving and display pies were re-gilded.

In July 1955, work commenced on the restoration of the Church and this was completed in the spring of 1956. During the work the organ was suitably protected until the work of reconstruction could commence. Thus the organ was silent from July 1955 to June 1956 when it was brought back into use.

Inside the church
Inside the church