The (1962?) Cowin organ of St Michael & All Angels, Newton, West Kirby, Wirral
The picture below is taken from The story of the churches of West Kirby Parish by A. R. Myers (Hoylake, 1987), p. 24. Chris was Organist & Choirmaster at St Michael & All Angels from 1987-1989. The organ's pipework came from at least one (C19th?) instrument so, although it looked like a modern organ, it had a rather gentle and well blended sound.
The organ was replaced by an Allen electronic instrument (in the 1990s?). At the time that the Allen was installed, the organ console was removed and the Allen speakers were placed inside the organ case. It is thought that some -- maybe all -- the pipework is extant within the case. The original console was located in the south-west corner of the church, facing east; i.e. to the left of the choirstalls (sited along the west wall of the church) and not visible in the picture above. The rocker tabs for the speaking stops were of the Willis type. The light touches beneath the tabs and above the Swell keys were for the couplers (Gt-Ped, Sw-Ped, Sw-Gt, Sw-Gt Sub 8ve, Sw-Gt 8ve, Sw Sub 8ve, Sw 8ve).
Click HERE for the link to the National Pipe Organ Register.
In the photograph below, the 'Sputnik' central chandelier may be seen, together with such other vanished features as the music desks on the choir stalls and the original aisle windows.
The organ was replaced by an Allen electronic instrument (in the 1990s?). At the time that the Allen was installed, the organ console was removed and the Allen speakers were placed inside the organ case. It is thought that some -- maybe all -- the pipework is extant within the case. The original console was located in the south-west corner of the church, facing east; i.e. to the left of the choirstalls (sited along the west wall of the church) and not visible in the picture above. The rocker tabs for the speaking stops were of the Willis type. The light touches beneath the tabs and above the Swell keys were for the couplers (Gt-Ped, Sw-Ped, Sw-Gt, Sw-Gt Sub 8ve, Sw-Gt 8ve, Sw Sub 8ve, Sw 8ve).
Click HERE for the link to the National Pipe Organ Register.
In the photograph below, the 'Sputnik' central chandelier may be seen, together with such other vanished features as the music desks on the choir stalls and the original aisle windows.
BELOW: the lost (?) console with Chris sitting at it in April 1989.
