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 |