THE ORGAN at BALLYWILLAN

It was not until 1863 that organs were sanctioned by the Church of Scotland. However it took time for the instrument to be generally accepted. From the 17th Century singing at Ballywillan would have been unaccompanied and led by a precentor. This very important official, supplied with a pitch-pipe, gave out and led the singing of metrical psalms. The first instrument, a War Memorial reed organ, was dedicated in 1920. It was replaced in 1959 by a Pipe organ in memory of Rev. W. H. Hutchinson, minister of the Church from 1932 - 1953. This was a gift from the Alexander family of Crossreagh.

THE CONACHER PIPE ORGAN (1959 - 1994)

This was a two-manual and pedal instrument with a detached console. The 1866th instrument was built by the firm of Peter Conacher of Huddersfield it was an extension organ of three ranks, Open Diapason, Flute and Dulciana. The organ was completely under expression with a mechanical linkage to generous swell shutters. Although very limited tonally the organ was effective on account of its central elevated position in a friendly acoustic. The absence of a gallery, carpet and cushions - all added later - gave a 2.5s reverberation time in an empty church. In 1979 a Trumpet and 3 rank mixture were added, followed by a Celeste and Gemshorn in 1981. This brought the number of speaking pipes from 262 up to 591.

A series of Summer Recitals started in 1974 and which ran for 30 years featured the organ in both an accompanying role and as a solo instrument. As the organ chamber was now completely full any other additions were impossible.

The Organ has been built by

PETER CONACHER AND CO. LTD OF HUDDERSFIELD

SPECIFICATION:

THE WELLS-KENNEDY ORGAN 1995s

Major work including the addition of a gallery and a new window at the East end of the Church was undertaken in 1994. Two new organ chambers were constructed on each side of the new central window. The Lisburn based firm of Wells Kennedy was chosen to build a new 3 manual and pedal organ. All made possible by the late Jean Alexander of Crossreagh who very generously agreed to underwrite the cost of the new organ. An oak console, from a Willis organ in Palmerston Place Church Edinburgh, was refurbished with new draw stops, pistons etc. Most of the original Conacher Organ is incorporated in the Swell of the new organ. This department shares the South chamber with the Choir organ. Both are under expression. The Great and most of the pedal department are in the North chamber. On each side of the new window are some of the large T C Lewis wood pipes from the 16ft Pedal Violone. Below the new window are the pipes of the Horizontal Fanfare Trumpet. There are now 1824 metal pipes and 253 wood pipes giving a total of 2077 speaking pipes. In addition the organ has 20 note chimes - real not electronic - and a 9 bell cymblestern.

ORGAN SPECIFICATION

Manual Compass: CC - c 61 notes

Pedal Compass: CCC - F 30 notes