Mossley Hill Team Ministry
St Matthew & St James
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THE
‘FATHER WILLIS’
ORGAN  

The organ was originally built by 'Father' Henry Willis, one of Britain's finest organ builders.

The organ dates from 1874 and was at that time a rather smaller instrument consisting of only 40 stops in all. At that time the organ console was on ground level and the fine oak organ case was also lower in the arch of the organ chamber. All the stops were on either side of the console being of the large rose wood type and set in two columns which stretched the entire height of the stop jambs.

In 1937 the organ was given a much needed rebuild by Willis & Sons. Part of the work done was to put in a new modern console and raise it up above the choir stalls. This meant also raising the entire organ case which now fills the arch of the organ chamber. The fine organ case has the huge 16ft pipes of the Violone stop forming a central tower with smaller pipes of the Diapason stops either side and are all made from spotted metal.

In 1940 the organ was dismantled after the church was bombed. Thankfully, only  some of the case pipes were damaged and the organ was stored in a country church between Rainford and Ormskirk. In 1953 the organ was re-installed and in 1964 the action was electrified.

In 1980, the organ was completely rebuilt and the specification completed along with a two manual nave console from which part of the organ can be played. This work was carried out by Sid Reeves of Liverpool who continues to tune and maintain the organ today.

The organ consists of four divisions played over three manuals, 65 stops and over 2,500 pipes. The action is electro-pneumatic and the organ is powered by two blowers, the largest being 7.3 hp. The organ today stands as a large and comprehensive instrument and is both a fine recital and liturgical instrument. The organ is regarded as one of the finest examples of English organ building in the country today.

Organist.
History & Description.
Specification.
ORGAN