The Organ
The Organ was built in 1906, the original organ having been lost in the fire of 1904. It occupies a chamber on the North side of the choir, and sports a front comprising the larger pipes of the Great Open Diapason stops. The console is immediately below this front, behind the choir-stalls.
The Organ is the work of William Hill & Son and, as might be expected of this builder, is built to the highest standards. It is used as the main accompaniment to worship, as well as for recitals and other concert use.
In 2006 the instrument was awarded a Historic Organ Certificate Grade II* by the British Institute of Organ Studies.
Since 1906, three alterations have been made: • The hitch-down swell pedal was replaced by a balanced pedal • A Tremulant was added to the Swell Organ • A Watkins and Watson 'Discus' blower and humidifier were installed (c. 1958)
It is an instrument of exceptional quality, substantially unaltered from the 1906 specification in both action and tone.
On the down side, the Choir organ suffered rain-water damage in 1998 (the roof has, of course, been repaired) and has not been playable since. Furthermore, the instrument now being 100 years old, is showing signs of general wear to the extent that a major conservative restoration is required.
Read more about this topic: St Chrysostom's Church
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—Willa Cather (1873–1947)