The Organ

The Grand Organ was built in 1915 by the celebrated firm of William Hill &
Sons. As the last major instrument to be built under their own name, it
provides a grand final statement to the firm’s work. It integral to the music at
All Hallows, providing warm accompaniment for choral and congregational music. 
It contains 49 stops over 4 manuals and pedals giving a wide tonal palate,
ranging from the ethereal to the magisterial and thrilling.

It was overhauled in 1928 and 1954 by Hill Norman & Beard and then dismantled
and re-assembled in 1976 to allow access for repair of the roofs below and
above, respectively. It remains today mechanically and tonally as it was
built, providing a wonderful insight into British organ building, tonal
finishing and pneumatic engineering at that time.

It is kept operational through ‘piecemeal’ restoration of the original
pneumatic system; in particular re-leathering of motors with fine sheepskin as
the original leather deteriorates beyond use. The organ now, unquestionably,
requires a complete overhaul with renewal of all perishable components. The
massive original blowing plant survives despite having being superceded by a
rotary blower in 1950. It is also desirable to restore and bring the original
plant back in to use.

The organ holds a Grade I historical listing from the British Institute of
Organ Studies.

The small Choir Organ was moved to All Hallows from St Mary’s Henham in 2019
and sits on a new mobile platform. It was built by Thomas Robson around 1855.
The casework and dummy display pipes were restored to their original finish by
Keith Blackburn and Alex Schouvaloff. This organ is invaluable for smaller-
scale liturgy and for accompanying more intimate repertoire. When two
organists are available it is also be used in alternatim with the grand organ.