(From the programme for the 
Inaugural Recital, Sept. 14th 1977) 

THE NEW ORGAN  In 1975 the legal formalities were completed to enable the Church to obtain its share of the Longhurst bequest. Here the work of Mr. Rupert Nicholson must be recorded. His advice, enthusiasm and dogged determination succeeded at the very time when all other efforts had seemed to fail. In that year also, a gifted young musician, Mr. Allan Healey, was appointed to the vacant post of organist and choir master with the promise of a versatile new instrument which he would have a major part in planning. He was immediately co-opted to the organ committee and with his expert help a number of options were considered, ranging from electronic and computer instruments to classical and tracker action pipe organs.  Visits were made to hear the work of various builders, five of whom were consulted. It was decided that the purchase of a second-hand instrument would make the best use of the limited resources of the bequest since a new instrument could cost as much as £2,000 per rank of pipes. The committee learned of the impending closure of St. John's Presbyterian Church, Forest Hill, with its superb, romantic, three-manual organ - an instrument conceived when the church organ was similar to the 'town hall' organ and not specifically geared to liturgical demands. Built in 1908 by J.W. Walker & Son (the builder of our Positif), it had many fine ranks of pipes, some too large and powerful for our building. It was, however, apparent that a design for the new organ could be based on the pipes from this instrument and make possible the performance of music in a wide range of styles. Members of the committee met Ralph Arnold in May, 1976, and were immediately impressed by the outstanding quality of his craftsmanship and, above all, by his ability to cope with exacting limitations and yet produce the most musical of instruments. Consultations led to the drafting of a specification for an instrument with four divisions comprising remodelled Great, Swell and Pedal Organs and a Positive Organ based on two ranks from the old Choir organ. The large pipes were to be disposed of and new upper-work added giving the instrument greater brilliance. 

Allan Healey at the console of the new organ

It would be controlled from a remote console set in a well at the front of the church already prepared during the rebuilding in 1961-4, and be placed on the north side of the gallery, beside the choir, as in the scheme accepted in 1938. The Positive department would stand over the front of the gallery allowing it to speak clearly into the body of the church. The specification was agreed, the Forest Hill organ purchased, and Mr. Arnold engaged to carry out the rebuilding. He has been occupied since the beginning of the year designing and building the framework, soundboards, wind supply and action, and refurbishing and voicing the Walker pipework to suit the new environment in which it speaks. By using these excellent old pipes he has created far greater wealth of tonal effects than would have been possible within the budget had new pipes to be bought. The front rank is the Gedackt, of spotted metal and provided with polished wooden stoppers, its visual beauty giving promise of the aural beauty of the whole organ.

Philip Moore practising for the Inaugural Concert

 He has also given new life to an instrument from the hey-day of organ building - one designed by Dr. Abernethy, for some time organist at Southwark, and of which our benefactor would have been proud. It has fifteen ranks of pipes represented at the console by thirty-two speaking stops. A service of dedication will take place at 11 a.m. on September 18th. The console will bear a bronze plate with the inscription: 

The gift of the late Harrison Longhurst.
 Pipework by J.W. Walker & Son, 1908. 
from St. John's Church, Forest Hill.
   Rebuilt by Ralph Arnold, Organbuilder, Orpington.
 Dedicated September 18th, 1977. 

As J.S. Bach, the greatest composer for the instrument, dedicated his works, so we dedicate our organ 'to the greater glory of God'. 

RALPH ARNOLD Ralph Arnold began his organ-building apprenticeship at the age of fifteen, but it was interrupted by war service. On its completion after leaving the forces he worked for a London firm of organ-builders until 1966 when he started his own business. The following year his wife became a working partner in this business and together they have continued to build many instruments, recently including those at Poverest Road Baptist Church, Orpington, and St. Mary's, Kemsing. Both these are new instruments situated in Kent but their numerous contracts for new and rebuilt organs have taken them far afield - even to Perth in Scotland. Their work includes new organs, rebuilds, overhauls and regular tuning and maintenance service over a wide area. 

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