Hallelujah! St Peter's Church organ rebuild nearing completion
Work is nearing completion on the rebuilding of an historic church organ.
Wolverhampton’s iconic St Peter’s Church, based in the centre of the city, started a full rebuilding of its organ more than 15 months ago.
The organ, which dates back to the mid-19th century, was in an extremely poor state of repair before the work and, because of its layout in the organ chamber, was difficult and expensive to repair and maintain.
The organ had been failing for years and no longer produced the sort of sound required, and work only began after the conclusion of a 15-year campaign to raise £250,000.
The money was raised with funding coming in from various sources, including donations from people in the city, money left to the church in wills and grants from trusts, plus a £1,000 donation from Prince Charles.
Former Wolves vice-president and England cricketer, Baroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint, who died in 2017, was also instrumental in drumming up support.
She had connections with the church through Wolves.
Now, after the application of modern design methods that will make the it easier to maintain in the future, the builders are starting to put the organ pipes back in, as well as restore and repaint the front facing pipes.
David Wright, rector of the church, spoke about the history of the organ and its part in worship at the church.
He said: “This is a historic instrument which dates from 1860 and plays a central part in our worship at St. Peter’s, as it has done since it was installed.
“It also has a role in the civic and community sides of what we do, being played on such occasions as the Civic Service, Justice Service, services for schools and Remembrance Sunday.
“There is a very important educational role for the organ too, all those who join our choirs, especially children, being given free, high quality musical education to develop them as singers and musicians.
“For those with the aptitude and commitment, we offer free organ lessons and a number of our former organ scholars have gone on to hold prestigious posts in cathedrals across the country.”
The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
