A History of the Organ

The first organ at St. Augustines was constructed in 1869 by William Hill and Son of London as a two manual instrument. In 1914, after forty-five years of service and as a memorial to Mr Alfred Gaul (Mus. Bac.) The organ was rebuilt by the firm of Frederick Rothwell of London at a cost of nearly £1,000.

A new electric blower with new stop additions were added along with a new console constructed in the rothwell style. In 1935 the organ was overhauled and given a new blowing system and several tonal additions, the organ is now a three manual instrument.

In 1956 the organ was rebuilt by Nicholson & Co of Worcester. new action and the Rothwell console was replaced.

In 1976 the organ was cleaned and the electrics were overhauled. The great posaune was put on a seperate sound chest and re-voiced on a higher wind preasure turning the stop in a solo loud reed. The great mixture was remodelled into a four rank mixture and rename as Fortniture IV. A Larigot was also added to the choir manual.

In 2005 a survey of the organ was done by Paul Hale and a campaign was started to raise funds to rebuild the organ.