ORGAN DEDICATED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 228, 26 September 1945, Page 4

ORGAN DEDICATED

FAMOUS INSTRUMENT FROM ENGLAND

SERVICE IN CHRIST CHVRCH. Dedicated by the Vicar-General of the Wellington Diocese, the Venerable F. H. Petrie (Feilding), to the praise and worship of God, a famous organ from St. Leonard’s School, Liverpool, England, was played for a choral service in Christ Church, Wanganui, last nght for the first time. The organ was purchased before the war and shipped out to New Zealand at the risk of the owners, the parish of Christ Church. It was built in 1860 by the noted Henry Willis and is the fourth largest organ in any New Zealand church or cathedral and the largest church organ in the North Isiand, being exceeded only in size b> the organs in the Auckland and Wellington town halls. For the dedication ‘■ervice last evening there was a specially augmented choir of about 60 voices, ft included members of other parish choirs in Wanganui and also visitors from Mailon. A feature was the celebrated “Gloria” from Mozart’s “Twelfth Mass." The organist Mr. J. Puryer. of Christ Cnurch.

The dedication service was conducted by the Vicar-General and was preceded by the procesional hymn, “Worship the King. all-glorious above.” The music for this first hymn was played on the small pedal organ. After the newly-installed organ had been dedicated, Mr. Puryer was conducted to it by the VicarGeneral and within a few seconds the large congregation was listening tn its full, rich tone for the first time. The hymn chosen for this initial purpose was “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” and as the service progressed the scope and beauty of the instrument became apparent. Most impressive was its volume, previously described by the organist as bein a sufficient for the largest building in New Zealand. A shortened form of evensong was conducted bv the Venerable J. R. Young, the Lessons being read by the Vicar-General. Psalms chosen were ‘O Sing Unto the Lord a New Song" and "O Praise Cod i. Hit Holiness.’’ The choir also sang f 77allelu,ias Chorus.”

Taking as his text, "O praise the Lord for it is a good thing to sing praises unto our God," the VicarGeneral said they had met with hearts full of thanks to God for enabling them to bring efforts started some time ago to a successful conclusion. The organ was an instrument lilting for leading them in their praise and glory of God. Christ Church was to be congratulated on having such a magnificent organ Henry Willis ranked among the leading organ builders of the world and the fact that the instrument was not new detracted in no way from ils value. Age did not mean deterioration of an organ. On the contrary it brought nfellowness to pipes and reeds and improved their quality of tone. The use of musical instruments in places of worship dated back to early limes and the text he had taken for his sermon referred also to “praising God with stringed instruments and organs,” though it was probable that the translation was hardly correct. Organs, as meant in this sense, most likely meant pipes or flutes, said the Vicar-General. "But whatever form the translation takes,” he said, “it is clear that in those far-off days it was customary to use string and wind instruments at services in the temple. “You must never forget what Ihe organ is, and what purpose it Is intended to serve. It is meant to be the means by which you worship God, and worship is something due to one worthy of our respect and reverence In its highest sense the word means that which is cle to God alone.” At the conclusion of the service the organist gave a short recital, playin” “Priere a Notre Dame" (L. Bocllinan), “Evening Hymn” (W. J. Marsh) and "Choral Suite.”