The Chamber Organ

The chamber organ in St George’s Church was built in London by G.P. England around 1785. The case is particularly fine, being made from high quality Cuban Mahogany and ornamented in Strawberry Hill Gothic style. There are four stops, Stopped Diapason, Dulciana, Principal and Fifteenth, all enclosed in a nag’s head swell. The compass is from CC to F3, 53 notes (there is no bottom CC #) and the single manual is formed as a drawer.

The second picture shows the organ with the front panel removed to expose the nag’s head swell. This is effectively like a sash window. When it slides up the glass panes open, creating a crescendo and when it drops they close, creating a diminuendo.

For many years this beautiful little organ was kept in a private house. Later it was removed to a home for the elderly where it stood in the chapel. In 1999 it was entrusted to the Friends of St George’s for safe keeping at West Grinstead. The organ is now mounted on a trolley and can be moved easily around the church as required. It is used quite regularly, both for voluntaries and for accompanying the choir.

In terms of its voicing and tonal style it is a perfect companion to the main organ which was built in Hull by Forster & Andrews in 1846.

Organists at St George’s Church

pre-1889	Mr Joseph Herbert Sutcliffe (The main organ was moved here from All Saint’s Hessle in 1890)
circa 1898	Miss Mabel Knatchbull-Hugesson (daughter of the Rector who left the parish on marrying in 1902)
1899	Revd. Bart (appointed curate & organist)
1902	Mr C.J. Trinder
1904	George Frederick Brockless (Boy organist; later Dr Brockless, became organist of Central Hall, Westminster)
1909	Mr H. Breach
?	Mr H. Putland
1912	Mr Nelson Mitchell (formerly organist at St. Michael’s)
1946	Mr Jack London
1947	Mr W.G.R. Godfrey
1958	Mr Jack London
1995	Dr Andrew Campbell (choirmaster since 1974) The chamber organ was moved to St George’s in 1999

Based on the best information available to J.F.London in 1996