Sungrak Baptist Church 

(formerly St Margaret's Presbyterian), Eastern Road, Turramurra 

Hill, Norman & Beard 1929 (2/6 ranks extension, electro-pneumatic)


Historical and Technical Documentation by Richard Baker and Peter Jewkes
© Sydney Organ Journal, Autumn 2006 (last updated May 2022)


 



Sungrak Baptist Church, Turramurra – exterior
(photograph from Flickr)




The change of this church from its previously having been St Margaret's Presbyterian Church is illustrative of the amalgamations amongst churches and rationalisation of church properties, changes in demographics, and changes in styles of worship which are taking place in Sydney and beyond. Sungrak Baptist is a Korean congregation in the full gospel tradition, and music during services Is played on piano, keyboards and percussion as well as on the organ. It was apparent that the church has an enthusiastic choir.



Sungrak Baptist Church, Turramurra – organ case
(photograph by Robert Fox)


This very solid brick church building was dedicated on 27 November 1927 and the two manual William Hill & Son and Norman & Beard organ was installed in 1929. A brass plate on the case designates it as the Roseburn Organ. It has the HN&B job number 2754 and the cost was recorded as £1400.

This is probably the oldest extension organ in Sydney. It has six ranks from which the specification is derived. Each rank can be controlled independently by a ventil system, quite an unusual arrangement. The instrument occupies a chamber behind the dais, and the entire organ is enclosed, the zinc display pipes being dummies. The detached console is off to the right. After over seventy years this organ remains virtually as it we when it was installed, retaining its original electro-pneumatic action, all evidently working reliably. It speaks with a strong, clear and impressive voice.

The six ranks are A Diapason; B Flute; C Celeste; D Dulciana; E Viola and F Oboe. There are four manual pistons and five toe pistons.



Sungrak Baptist Church, Turramurra – console
(photograph by Robert Fox)

 



The specification is:

Great
Open Diapason
Stopped Diapason
Dulciana
Octave
Flute
Piccolo

Swell
Open Diapason
Lieblich Gedackt
Viol d'Orchestre
Voix Celestes
Viola
Flute
Oboe

Pedal
Bourdon
Bass Flute
Dolce

Couplers
Swell Octave
Swell Sub Octave
Swell to Great
Swell Octave to Great
Swell Sub to Great
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal


Tremulant I
Tremulant II

8
8
8
4
4
2


8
8
8
8
4
4
8


16
8
8














A
B
D
A
B
B


A
B
E
C
E
B
F


B
B
D















Electro-pneumatic action