The George Street Pipe Organ

The George Street Chapel Organ is registered with the British Institute of Organ Studies
- National Pipe Organ Register No. N03398, surveyed in 1992.

Casework   - undated
Position       - behind pulpit at the south end of the building
Type           - pipe Rack post and rail case with 23 silver painted display pipes;
                   - internal spotted metal pipework; vertical swell shutters
Console      - attached
Stop type    - drawstop
Label Type  - ivory
Label front   - gothic
Pedalboard  - straight flat square jambs

Couplers      Swell to Great
                    Swell to Pedals
                    Great to Pedals

Department and Stop List
Pedal   Key action Tr   Stop action Me Compass- low C  Compass-high f1 Keys 30
            1                       Bourdon                                                     16        
Great   Key action Tr   Stop action Me Compass- low C  Compass-high g3 Keys 56
            2                        Open Diapason                                            8
            3                        St Diapason                                                 8
            4                        Dulciana                                                      8
            5                        Wald Flute                                                   4
Swell   Key action Tr   Stop action Me Compass- low C  Compass-high g3 Keys 56 Enclosed
            6                        Violin Diapason                                            8
            7                        Gamba                                                        8
            8                        Gemshorn                                                    4
            9                        Oboe                                                           8

Balanced Swell pedal
Hand blower

While dismantling the organ we uncovered evidence about the history of the pipe organ.
It was probably Order Number 21 when it was commissioned for its first owner.
The key boards were made by craftsman, GW Moore working for R&M Dawson. The key boards were numbered 590 and 591.
We believe it was moved to George Street Chapel in 1890 following a few years of fundraising described in the Sunday School accounts. A letter suggests that a harmonium was used in 1874, because there was a request to be careful not to disturb residents in the cellar dwellings below.
The organ had some work done to it around 1911 by JP Croft of 98, Croombrook Street, Old Trafford, Manchester (formerly of 66 Oxford Street, Old Trafford, Manchester). JP Croft's also signed his name on a pallet which was uncovered during cleaning by David Wood Organs.
In February 1941 J.Bath and H.Barrow cleaned and overhauled the organ.

During restoration and cleaning some interesting discoveries have been made.
The original decorations to the facade pipes have been partially uncovered in order that they can be faithfully reproduced. The designs can be compared to a black and white photograph of 1895.

Also the cleaning of the swell pedal revealed that a pattern of a foot had been created in its top face using brass pins to stop the surface of the pedal from being worn down by the organist's shoe.

We are interested in hearing from anyone who has an organ with the same pattern on its swell pedal.

And also from organs with similar facade decorations. Please get in touch.

Design at the top of the odd and even pipes of
George Street Chapel, Oldham.

Design at the middle of the odd and even pipes
of George Street Chapel, Oldham.

Design of odd and even pipes at base of pipes
of George Street Chapel, Oldham.