ORGANS IN & AROUND CHESTERFIELD


METHODIST, WHITTINGTON MOOR

The present church was built in 1981, replacing the former building on Sheffield Road. The organ is by Albert Keates (Sheffield) and was built for the previous church shortly after it opened in 1897; a plaque from the old console records that it was the gift of Mrs. H. Twelves and family (proprietors of the chemist's shop at Whittington Moor).

In 1981 the organ was moved to the new building; it was given electric action, a new drawstop console and an extension to the Pedal rank. The work was done by Chalmers & Hyde (Dronfield), and the stoplist is now as follows:


GREAT
     8       Open Diapason
     8       Stopped Diapason
     8       Dulciana
     4       Principal
     4       Harmonic Flute    
 
SWELL    
     8       Open Diapason 
     8       Gedact    
     8       Gamba
     4       Principal
     8       Horn    
 
PEDAL   
    16       Bourdon
     8       Bass Flute            extension
     4       Octave Flute
 
Couplers: 3 unison, Swell sub8ve.
          Added in 1981: Swell 8ve, Swell 8ve & sub8ve to Great.
Thumb pistons: 3 Swell, 3 Great, Great to Pedal reversible.
Toe pistons: 3 Swell, 3 Great, Great to Pedal reversible, Swell tremulant reversible.
Balanced pedal to Swell.
Compass: 56/30.
Whitingon Moor Methodist

 

 

The organ is in a roomy chamber on the right side of the church; the console is attached. This is a quality instrument, and Chalmers & Hyde did fine work in 1981 (the question of electrification aside). The pipes have ample room in which to speak, and the volume of sound produced from slender resources is surprising. The Great diapasons are forthright and round in tone, the flutes are pleasantly piquant, while the full Swell is a typical Sheffield-style roar. The rich, full sound of such organs as this is one of the most pleasant surprises for the itinerant organophile.




PICTURE CREDITS
Photograph by Nigel Tilley, 1991

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