10.06.2019
Musical Celebration as St Philip’s Organ Rededicated
The newly restored organ of St Philip’s Church, Milltown, was rededicated by Archbishop Michael Jackson yesterday (Pentecost, Sunday June 9).
The rededication took place amid a celebration of the gifts of music with Choral Evensong sung beautifully by the boys of St Patrick’s Cathedral with St Patrick’s Master of Music, Stuart Nicholson, playing the organ. The service was followed by an opening recital by David Leigh, Organist of St Patrick’s Cathedral.
The Rector, Canon Sonia Gyles, observed that they had gathered to give thanks to God for the gift of music in the church.
In September 2011, Canon Gyles recalled, the vestry was advised that work would be needed on the organ and an organ fund was established. This work became more urgent when it was discovered that the organ was not only unreliable but potentially dangerous due to the condition of its electrical components.
She said that the Select Vestry was aware of the substantial cost of restoration and that not everyone would approve of money being diverted to the organ. However, a benefactor approached the parish and thanks to that person’s generosity, along with the money built up in the organ fund and some fundraising, the project came to fruition, she stated.
The Rector thanked everyone who had helped with the project in anyway, and in particular organ builder Trevor Crowe, and parish organist, David O’Shea.
The renovation of the organ centred around the conservation of original pipes and bellows. The old windchests and action, which featured complex electrical and pneumatic mechanisms, were found to be beyond economic repair. It now sits in a new case and console.