Lindfield Uniting Church (formerly Presbyterian)
cnr Provincial Road and Pacific Highway, Lindfield

George Fincham & Sons 1975 (2/13 mechanical)


From the June 1975 SOJ:

Lindfield is a suburb of Sydney, situated on the North Shore some 13 kilometres from the centre of the city. St David's Presbyterian Church was bullt in 1930, of brick and not unattractive design, and boasts a quite fine tower. The Architect was James Barr of Sydney who was also responslble for such designs as St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in the A.C.T. and the towers and spires of St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne.

Unfortunately, the church (which seats some 300 persons) is quite dead acoustically, even when empty. The new organ was built by the Melbourne firm of George Fincham & Sons Pty. Limited under the personal supervision and direction of David Fincham, great-grandson of the founder of the firm and a sixth generation organ builder (a position unique in the world). It replaces a five rank Hill, Norman and Beard unit organ of no particular distinction which served the church faithfully for some 45 years.

Fincham enjoys the distinction of today having in his instruments the highest self-manufactured content of any Australian builder. The case of the new organ designed by him is most striking in effect, with the highly burnished tin pipes of the Pedal Prinzipal contrasting with the dark wood of the case. The console chassis, blower and pedal reeds were imported from Germany. The organ follows the commonly accepted pattern of modern day ''classical'' instruments - free standing with a properly designed case in Werkprinzip form, slider chests and tracker action - buf utilizing modern technological advances in the materials used.

The stoplist also follows the common pattern for small organs, with the possible exception of the Positive Spitzföte 8. This is a hybrid rank with a stopped flute bass, a principal-flute-like middle register and a Principal-like treble, gradually lncreaslng in power from bass to treble. It was chosen specifically for the purpose of choral accompaniment (which it achieves to perfection) and for ''stiffening" the Great chorus when needed. The varlety obtained from "stopped 8' open 4'" on the Great and ''open 8. stopped 4''' on the Positiv is of immense value in a small instrument.

The builder's aim was to achieve the maximum colour and variety within the ranks available, consistent with the principles of the Organ Reform Movement. Mention might be made of the really splendid flutes, magnificent principals and the blend and balance both overall and between ranks.

The builder has also managed to keep the instrument quite compact, allowing the Church to erect new cholr stalls adjacent to the organ - thus permltting "corporate" music making. In fact the new instrument with three times the number of ranks of the old instrument actually occupies about half the space.

Volclng is on the ''open toe" principle with a minimum of ''nicking", as dictated by the acoustics. The overall tone may be described as "forthright" even "bold" and whilst this may not be to everyone's taste, it most certainly stirs the most reluctant congregation into rhythmic and musical song. On the other hand, the instrument has been found to answer every service requirement and to provlde an acceptable approach to most parts of the repertoire.

The instrument represents a considerable advance forward by this progressive firm and enormous value for money for the Church.

Great
Rohrflöte
Prinzipal
Blockflöte
Mixtur 19.22.26.29

Positiv (enclosed)
Spitzflöte
Rohrflöte
Prinzipal
Quinte
Trompette

Pedal
Sub Bass
Prinzipal
Choral Bass
Fagott

Couplers
Positiv to Great
Positiv to Pedal
Great to Pedal

8
4
2
IV


8
4
2
1-1/3
8


16
8
4
16






Compass 56/30
Mechanical action

Wind pressures 70mm for Great and Pedal, 50mm for Positiv