ORGAN OF THE MONTH 83: May 2009
Hanbury
Hill Baptist Church, Stourbridge |
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This 19th century church, situated in Chapel Street and just a short walk from the busy ring-road, was one of four visited during BOA's Stourbridge "organ crawl" this year.
The organ, which dates from 1890, is of particular interest because it appears to have survived unmolested (apart from regular, routine maintenance) since its installation over a century ago by Peter Conacher. Its action is still in good working order, and it still sounds well despite the (presumably recent) carpeting of the entire floor area - which must have had an adverse effect on the acoustic. We felt sure that the sound of the organ was preferable to that of a Technics electronic keyboard and drum kit located on either side of the console!
Although there appears (see central photo) to be a double-height case, the pipes in the gallery are dummies and the organ is situated at ground level. The organ is currently in the care of Hawkins of Lichfield.