Rare church organ granted new lease of life

Celebrations are in hand after the restoration was completed of a 150-year-old organ in St John’s Parish Church in Killingworth, near Newcastle.

Built by Richard Postill of York, one of the most prolific and renowned organ builders of his generation, the organ is his only instrument awarded Grade II Star status by the British Institute of Organ Studies because of its national importance and significance.

It has been restored by local company, John Lightbown and Sons of North Shields and completion will be marked by Daniel Cook, the Master of the Choristers and Organist at Durham Cathedral with an organ recital in Killingworth on May 1st.

Killingworth vicar, the Reverend Sarah Moon explains that restoration is part of the first phase of improvements to make the building more suitable for community use. 

She said: “We are indebted to the funders and particularly the Heritage Lottery Fund. They have helped to secure the relocation and restoration of our historic organ whilst creating new facilities in a refurbished church. We plan to make it available for organists to have access to play and for schools to visit and learn more about our musical heritage.

“We began with our plans six years ago. It is wonderful to see a major part of the refurbishment come to fruition including a new kitchen, storage and meeting facilities and general improvements including new heating. It is a great encouragement for us to get on with the final phase, adding toilets and a new entrance.”

Richard Postill built some 166 organs largely across the North, although two were sent to South Africa and one is in the chapel of Blenheim Palace. All ten remaining were visited in a recent fundraising marathon cycle ride covering 1,490 miles by St John’s organist, Nigel Brown visiting churches in England and Scotland that have Postill organs.

The works at Killingworth have also involved local contractor S.V. Rutter of Westmoor. They have been funded by the parish with additional help from Northumbria Historic Churches Fund; the Rothley Trust; Banks Company; National Lottery Community Fund; Benefact Trust; ON Organ Fund; Catherine Cookson Trust; and Killingworth Christian Council, adding to the major support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The first phase of the project cost £320,000 with National Lottery Heritage Fund funding amounting to £196,470, with works approved and sanctioned by the Diocese of Newcastle.