Hamilton Uniting Church

Picture of the pipe organ at Hamilton Uniting Church showing the pipes as seen from the console. The console is newly restored showing a new display panel and refurbished keys. Refurbished by Pipe Organs Victoria.

First built in Built in 1901 by George Fincham & Sons, and rebuilt in 1958 by Hill, Norman & Beard, then rebuilt a second time by Laurie Pipe Organs in 1978, the Hamilton Uniting Church organ suffered water damage due to a leaking roof in 2019. Damage occurred to the Pedal Bourdon chest & pipework.

Pipe Organs Victoria was commissioned to complete the remedial works to the organ, which the previous builder had been unable to complete due to significant Covid-related interruptions. Further works in addition the water damage repairs were undertaken on the Great and Swell drawchests and refurbishment of the console. Owing to the age and vermin damage to the wind supply of the Hill, Norman & Beard pneumatically driven control system, a new switching system was also installed, introducing several modern playing aids to the instrument for the first time.

Beginning with extensive work to the console to accommodate the new switching and capture system, and upgrades to the stop tab units, we installed new ‘hall effect’ key contacts and additional thumb piston units to extend the number of combinations available to the organist. This was followed by a much needed upgrade to the electronic stop tab and coupler units, including custom fitting of the existing Hill, Norman & Beard ivory stop tabs to the new units. The console was rewired throughout.

New note actuator magnets were installed on to the Pedal Bourdon windchest, replacing the heavily corroded units that sustained water damage, and the windchest rewired.

Over a period of several weeks on site, all refurbished parts and pipework were reinstated into the instrument. The chamber end of the new switching system was installed. The re-wiring throughout chamber was completed and all cables terminated into the switching system. Testing of was action carried out and pipework installed, regulated, and tuned.

  • A photo of the newly refurbished console of the pipe organ at Hamilton Uniting Church. It is a two manual console, with the music desk open, and showing the newly fitted pistons, capture system display, and key switch. All work carried out by Pipe Organs Victoria.

    The newly refurbished console is back in place!

  • A close up photo of some green pipe organ stop tab units. They sit in a neat row attached to a wooden stop tab rail. The installation was carried out by Pipe Organs Victoria.

    The new stop tab units during their installation in the Pipe Organs Victoria workshop.

  • A photo of a pipe organ keyboard, close up showing the back of the keys behind the ivories, with new not actuator magnets installed by Pipe Organs Victoria.

    New Hall Effect Actuator Magnets installed to the keys.

  • A photo of the inside of a pipe organ wind chest. In the foreground are a neat row of electro magnets, and the background are pneumatic motors and pallets. Electronics and wiring installed by Pipe Organs Victoria.

    The new note actuator magnets installed in the Pedal Bourdon wind chest.

  • A photo of some organ pipes. At the back are large wooden pipes painted black, with smaller wooden pipes and even smaller metal pipes in the front. At the base of the wind chest is a freshly releathered wind truck attached to the chest. Rewiring, new note actuator magnets, and installation by Pipe Organs Victoria.

    The Pedal Bourdon back in place and restored wind trunk connected.

  • A photo of two pipe organ builders installing an organ console in a church. The console has its panels removed, revealing the note switching circuitry and wiring inside, and is about to be reinstalled in the church. Work carried out by Pipe Organs Victoria.

    Chris and Marc reinstalling the console.

 

 

Related Portfolio