Central Baptist Church

From SOJ April/May 1983, February/March 1986, Winter 2003:

Central Baptist Church, the first Baptist church opened in Australia, was established in 1836 as the Baptist Chapel on the NE corner of Bathurst and Kent Streets. It faced into St Andrew's Lane behind the cathedral and was demonlished in 1938.

The second Nicholson & Lord organ in Sydney was installed in the chapel in 1888. The case of the organ was in classical style to match the architecture, which was that of a delightful miniature Grecian temple, and was placed within an arch and chamber on a gallery at the front of the church. The instrument had a Great of 6 stops, Swell of 7 stops and Pedal of 1 stop.

The new building for Central Baptist, a couple of blocks down George Street from the chapel's location, includes a church with a substantial rear gallery. The organ was moved by Charles Leggo when it was opened in 1937 and the case was discarded at that time. The reconstructed organ was concealed behind an ornamental grille at the front of the church and tubular-pneumatic action and a detached console were provided. The organ was rebuilt and enlarged by Graeme Rawson and others in 1966 and refurbished by Anthony Welby in 1971, by which time it had three manuals, 38 speaking stops, 6 couplers and electro-pneumatic action. It was rebuilt in 1983 by Brown & Arkley with a new console and additional pipework.