The Cathedral Organ, constructed 1791-1895
An introduction to the magnificent Cathedral organ, from the notes in Cathedral Organs, 1185-1989 by Paul Hale.
The oldest pipes of our current organ date back to an organ built by Samuel Green in 1791. This instrument was in a case centred on the screen, and consisted of 23 ranks over 3 manuals. The organ survived for over forty years, and was enlarged by William Hill in 1835. This work involved the addition of pedals and of two ranks of pipes. Hill & Son made further changes in 1865 and 1870, resulting in a 33-rank instrument, with 3 manuals and pedals.
The organ as it stood in 1875 was then moved, by J. W. Walker & Sons, into a new case designed by Gilbert Scott, which still stands today as the main body, either side of the screen. A year later, Forster & Andrews organ builders provided new pipes for the case, replacing some dummy pipes installed by Walker's firm.
Minor changes and additions occurred in the next ten years, and repairs were carried out as the organ deteriorated. After nearly ten years of persuasion, a new organ by J. W. Walker & Sons was built in 1905, incorporating several ranks from the previous instrument. This 40-rank, 3-manual organ remained without major alteration for more than 50 years.
In 1957 the organ was rebuilt by J. W. Walker & Sons, which included electrifying the action and several other alterations. These made for a very colourful instrument, but also one which was too big to maintain in such a small space. This led to a major rebuild in 1989 by Mander Organs, which involved adding a new choir organ case (in the centre on the Quire side). The mechanics were entirely new, and just over half of the pipes were new. The console's electronics were repaired and upgraded in 2006 and in 2012 the general piston memories were augmented. In the summer of 2016 further work was carried out on the organ including an overhaul of the keys and pedalboard, repairs to some collapsed bass pipes and most notably the replacement of the 1905 Swell Contra Fagotto, Trumpet and Clarion with new pipes. This work was again carried out to the highest standards by Mander Organs.
Organ specification (since 1989)
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Paul Hale’s study of the history of the Cathedral Organ, chamber organs and organists was published by The Friends of Rochester Cathedral in 1989. Several studies of music and individual organists at the Cathedral have featured in The Friends’ Annual Reports:
Paul Hale studies the history of the organs of Rochester Cathedral leading to the exceptional organ over the pulpitum taking much of its current form in 1875.
Great War organists, 1900-1930
Simon Shreeve introduces the organists of Rochester Cathedral in post during the Great War: Bertram Luard-Selby, Charles Hylton Stuart and Hilda Milvain.
The Cathedral is full of features and furnishings for the purpose of worshipping God, singing His praise, administering the sacraments and spreading The Word of Christ.