The Organ

Organ front view

The oldest pipe work dates from 1857, when a Gray and Davison organ was installed, consisting of three manuals, thirty-seven stops and some 2,057 pipes. Originally sited in what is now St Stephen's Chapel, it was removed to the north-west corner of the church in 1860. During the church restoration of 1868-9 the organ was re-sited again, this time to the position on the north side of the chancel where it has remained ever since. This work was carried out by the Hull firm of Forster and Andrews, who also added a second open diapason to the Great whilst re-erecting the instrument. In 1911 the organ was totally rebuilt by the firm of Norman and Beard who supplied a new console, the latest form of pneumatic action (which included two miles of lead tubing!) and several new ranks of pipes, as well as reworking the original Gray and Davison pipework.

Apart from the removal of the Great Clarion 4 ft to the Pedal department and the disposal of the Bass flute 8 ft, the organ remains today as it was in 1911. Regular tuning, maintenance, repairs, renewal of pneumatic motors, etc ensure that it is kept in mint condition. A fine example of English organ building of this period, it now consists of thirty-seven speaking stops and three manuals and pedals.

For a stop list and more information on the history of the organ, visit the St James, Louth page in the The National Pipe Organ Register. A book on the history of the organs and organists from the early 16th Century, written by Craig Pillans MA FRCO ARCM, is available from the church shop or via the e-mail page of this site.