Christ Church Anglican Church
Walker Street, Lavender Bay

William Davidson, 1872 (2/12 mechanical)

From SOJ Spring 2003:

Overlooking Sydney Harbour is the historic church of Christ Church, Lavender Bay. Services have been held here since 1872. The sandstone church, as is the fine Rectory next door, contains an organ of historical interest. For many years the maker of this organ has been unknown, Graeme Rushworth thought that the organ was probably built by William Davidson, date unknown. However, John Maidment suggested that the instrument may have been c.1860 by J.W. Walker of London, being installed in 1872 from a previous unknown location. During restoration work in 2001, Pitchford and Garside Pty Ltd reported that during "...recent restoration work...signatures and dates were discovered in the Pedal chest and Great soundboard which established beyond reasonable doubt that the instrument was built by William Davidson in March 1872. This date coincides with the opening and dedication of the church." The clarification then referred to Rushworth and indicated that the instrument quite possibly had been Davidson's largest instrument (albeit with Swell and Pedal compasses of 44 and 25 notes respectively) at that point in time. The organ was restored in 1966 by Hill, Norman & Beard. The bellows recently have been releathered to double rise operation by Pitchford & Garside.

The specification is:


William Davidson, 1872 (2/12 mechanical)

Great Open Diapason Stop Diapason Dulciana Principal Wald Flute Twelfth Fifteenth Tremolo Swell Bourdon Open Diapason Principal Oboe Pedal Bourdon Couplers Swell to Great Swell Octave to Great Great to Pedal

8 8 8 4 4 2-2/3 2 16 8 4 8 16

Compass 56/30
Mechanical action
Lever swell pedal
2 combination pedals
Flat and parallel pedalboard

© PdL 2006