L1001229a

The Pipe Organ

John Risk, the distillery owner, provided the window for the new south transept and he also provided the Rushworth and Dreaper four manual pipe organ with its 80 stops, which occupies the north transept. A pipe organ had been installed in the choir or East Church just before 1890, but this was clearly inadequate in which was now to be once again one great Church, 207 feet long. A Cathedral sized building required a Cathedral sized pipe organ. The cost was £9,000. There was one condition attached to the gift - that Dr Baird Ross, the distinguished organist and choirmaster at Holy Rude, would plan and supervise the enterprise. This was a most wise condition. The organ has been described as one of the finest romantic organs in the British Isles - one of the great organs in the world. Today the replacement of it would cost well in excess of £500,000.

Renovation of the Pipe Organ - 1992-94

When the renovation of the church began in 1987 it became obvious that major work would also be required on the notable pipe-organ, not half a century old. Estimates were taken, and the decision reached that Rushworth and Dreaper of Liverpool, who built the organ, should be employed to restore and update it. The first phase, comprising work at the console end, was completed in 1992, at a cost of around £50,000. This cost was largely met by notable generosity of individuals and groups, not least from within the congregation. The second phase, a major cleaning up operation within the organ loft itself was completed in June 1994, taking the total cost to £90,000 or thereby. Thanks to all this support, Holy Rude's magnificent pipe-organ is restored and made ready, like the building itself, for the 21st  century.


On display now is the hand-inscribed permanent book, listing all such sponsors, and indeed all who have made substantial donations, unless, of course, parties have indicated that they wish to remain anonymous. Where the gift is in memory of a loved one, this too is recorded.

The Organ Fund

The Friends of the Holy Rude are engaged in raising funds for the future maintenance and restoration of this magnificent organ. If you would like to donate to the fund, and help us maintain the organ for future generations, please see further information
here.