Our Organ

The organ was built in 1897 by colonial organ-builder E H Jenkins for the Moray Place Congregational Church, Dunedin, New Zealand. It was restored and rebuilt by the South Island Organ Company of New Zealand and installed in St Aidan’s Uniting Church in 1996. It has three manuals and pedals with 32 stops, solid state switching and a capture system of 64 channels.

The display pipes have been restored to the original designs and colours, including gold leaf, by Melbourne artists Marc Nobel and Christine Holmes. The detached console is entirely new. In timber and design it matches the other church furnishings. It is placed at the front of the gallery so that the player can be seen from below. This enables a close relationship between organist and congregation. In concert performances, the player can also be seen close-up on a screen at the front of the church.

A detailed illustrated booklet about the organ is available at the church for $5 or by mail order for $10 from North Balwyn Uniting Church, 17-21 Duggan St, Balwyn North VIC 3104. The Organ Project was managed and the funds were raised by St Aidan’s Music Society Inc. at a total cost of $400,000.