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Complete description of the selected organ
Photo: Henrik West. Date: 27 March 2014.

Photo: Henrik West

London, United Kingdom (Greater London) - Church of Saint Katherine Cree (City) (Guild Church)
Municipal: London
Address: 86 Leadenhall Street, EC3A 3DH, London
Website: https://www.stkatharinecree.org/

Description nr.: 2013782.

Built by: firma Henry Willis & Sons (1866)
The organ contains older material: from 1686 by Bernard "Father" Smith

YearBuilderOpusActivity
1686 Bernard "Father" Smith  new organ
1866 firma Henry Willis & Sons  new organ in old case
1906 T.C. Lewis & Co.  enlargement
1923 Morgan & Smith  rebuild
1945 Kingsgate-Davidson Company  enlargement
1963 Mander Organs  restoration
2005 David Wells  reconstruction

The organ in the Church of Saint Katherine Cree in London was built in 1866 by the firm of Willis & Son. However, the organ case and some of the pipework were taken from the church's previous organ, which was built in 1686 by Bernard "Father" Smith. It had one manual upon completion, and was renovated and expanded by various organ makers during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As mentioned, Willis rebuilt the organ in the old case with new mechanics, a new keyboard and windchests and a new disposition. The pedal was expanded in 1906 with a Bourdon 16' by T.C. Lewis. In 1923, the firm of Morgan & Smith converted the organ to pneumatics, and a new console was installed. A further extension was carried out in 1945 by the Kingsgate Davidson company. In 1963 Noel Mander carried out an overhaul. Plans for a reconstruction of the Smith organ never went ahead. Ultimately, the organ was completely reconstructed by David Wells in the years 2004-2005 to its 1866 condition.

Technical data
Number of stops per division
- Great Organ8
- Choir Organ6
- Swell Organ9
- Pedal Organ4
Total number of stops27
Key actionMechanical
Stop actionMechanical
Windchest(s)Slider chests

Specification
Great Organ (C-g'''): Double Diapason 16', Open Diapason 8' - prospect 2005, Claribel Flute 8', Principal 4', Twelfth 2 2/3', Fifteenth 2', Sesquialtera 3 ranks (17.19.22), Posaune 8'.
Choir Organ (C-g'''): Stopped Diapason 8', Dulciana 8', Principal 4', Flute 4', Fifteenth 2', Corno di Bassetto 8'.
Swell Organ (C-g'''): Open Diapason 8', Stopped Diapason 8', Salicional 8', Principal 4', Wald Flute 4', Fifteenth 2', Mixture 3 ranks (17.19.22) - 2005, Cornopean 8', Hautboy 8'.
Pedal Organ (C-f'): Open Diapason 16', Bourdon 16', Violoncello 8' - 1866/2005, Ophicleide 8' - 2005.
Couplers: Choir to Great, Swell to Great, Great to Pedal, Choir to Pedal, Swell to Pedal.

Other specifications
Different specifications
  • The original specification from 1686 was:
    Manual (GGAA-c'''): Open Diapason, Stopped Diapason, Principal, Twelfth, Fifteenth, Block Flute, Sesquialtera 3 ranks (B/D), Cornet 5 ranks (cis'-c'''), Mixture 2 ranks (B/D), Trumpet 8'.

  • The specification in 1800 was, noted by Henry Leffler:
    Great Organ (GGAA-d'''): Open Diapason, Stopped Diapason, Principal, Twelfth, Fifteenth, Block Flute, Sesquialtera 3 ranks, Cornet 4 ranks, Mixture 2 ranks, Trumpet.
    Choir Organ (GGAA-d'''): Stopped Diapason, Principal, Flute, Fifteenth.
    Swell Organ (c°-d'''played from Choir): Open Diapason, Stopped Diapason, Trumpet, Hautboy.
    Pedal (C-f°): Attached.

  • Before the reconstruction of 2004-2005, the stop list was:
    Great Organ (C-a'''): Double Diapason 16', Open Diapason 8', Claribel Flute 8', Principal 4', Twelfth 2 2/3', Fifteenth 2', Harmonics 3 ranks (17.19.21), Tromba 8'.
    Choir Organ (C-a'''): Stopped Diapason 8', Dulciana 8', Viola 8', Principal 4', Flute 4', Fifteenth 2', Corno di Bassetto 8'.
    Swell Organ (G-a'''): Contra Salicional 16', Open Diapason 8', Stopped Diapason 8', Principal 4', Wald Flute 4', Fifteenth 2', Mixture 3 ranks (15.19.22), Oboe 8', Cornopean 8'.
    Pedal Organ (C-f'): Resultant 32', Open Diapason 16', Bourdon 16', Bass Flute 8'.

Literature
  • Notes on Old London City churches, their organs, organists, and musical associations / Charles William Pearce. - London : The Vincent Music Company Ltd., [1908].
  • The organs of the City of London : From the Restoration to the Present / Nicholas M. Plumley. - Oxford : Positif Press, 1996.
  • Engelse orgels in enkele klassieke Londense kerken / N.M. Plumley. - Zeist : Jacques Stinkens Orgelpijpenmakers B.V., 2005. - Kalender 2006.

Photo: Henrik West. Date: 27 March 2014.
Photo: Henrik West