Killara Uniting

Killara Uniting Church (formerly Congregational)
cnr Karanga Avenue and Arnold Street, Five Ways, Killara

Ronald Sharp 1961, restored and enlarged Peter D.G. Jewkes 2001 (2/23 electro-pneumatic)

Photo: Alan Caradus (August 2012)

From SOJ Autumn 2002, Autumn 2006:

The original organ in this church was built in 1909 by J. E. Dodd for St Mary's Presbyterian Church, Lithgow and sold to Killara Congregational Church in 1929 for £500. It consisted of 2 manuals,13 speaking stops and 4 couplers. By the late 1950s it was apparent that the action was in need of major work and rather than spend money on the instrument as it existed, the church decided to purchase a new organ that retained the Dodd case and a few original ranks.

The new organ, among the first "Neo-classical'' instruments to be designed and built in Australia, was built by Ronald Sharp and opened in 1961. It was on of Sharp's first instruments, being constructed in the first two years of his organ building career. It possessed 20 stops (with extended Oboe 8' and Bourdon 16' from the previous organ), six couplers and electro-pneumatic action. In 1999, after almost 40 years operation, it became obvious that an overhaul would be required to ensure continued reliable service. The church was greatly aware of the significance of the instrument as an early landmark in the tonal evolution of pipe organs in Australia and thus prescribed that any work would need to honour the style and integrity of the Sharp, without any loudening or revoicing of the pipework.

The church sought advice from four organbuilders, and also from the Uniting Church (NSW Synod) Church Music Committee: this led to a contract being issued to Peter D.G. Jewkes Pty Ltd in 2000. The subsequent work has involved the cleaning and overhaul of the existing Sharp material, replacing worn points of contact and perishable components. A few minor improvements were made to the Sharp action and a rationalisation in the layout and disposition of the Oboe rank occurred. The project was supported locally through the tireless efforts of Peter Bidencope and the church organist, Lorna Buining. The refurbished organ was reopened in a recital by Robert Ampt on 16 September 2001.

From a tonal standpoint, the Sharp organ placed focus on mild principal tone, tlutes, mixture and mutation stops, all superbly voiced to produce musical blend and balance on light wind pressure. As a result, the organ's resources were not always strong enough to lead large congregations. In the recent work a Prinzipal 8' rank (with an Octav 4' extension), together with a Trompete 8', were added using an entirely independent wind supply, chests and actions, separate from the Sharp organ, to boost fundamental tone and power. Peter Jewkes has succeeded in matching these additional resources in a "Neo-classical'' style, using pipes imported from Germany. The large metal case pipes dating from 1909, and mute since 1961, have been reused in the present work to form the bass octave of the new Prinzipal rank.

At the time of writing the front pipes were due to be taken down to be repainted in the style of the original, featuring a cream-coloured base and gold bands. Future work on the organ will need to address the replacement of the 1961 electro-mechanical relays and associated wiring.

The specification of the organ is:

Compass 61/32

Electro-pneumatic action
Detached stopkey console

* added Peter Jewkes 2001.

Photos above: David Tagg (Jan 2010)

Internal photos and façade above: Alan Caradus (August 2012)