Church appeals for £120k funds towards organ restoration (From Times Series)

Church in Finchley appeals for £120k funds towards organ restoration project

2:21pm Tuesday 26th January 2010 in Top Stories By Kevin Bradford

ONE of the oldest churches in the borough is appealing for funds to restore its historic pipe organ.

The instrument, which stands prominently in the church of St Mary at Finchley, in Hendon Lane, is in desperate need of an overhaul that could cost as much as £120,000.

Congregation members are coming together to raise the money and the organ appeal committee are hoping for help from the community to preserve a piece of the borough's heritage.

Reverend Philip Davison said the organ has been maintained regularly over the past 60 years, but aspects of the electrics and mechanics, including the leather bellows, need to be replaced.

He said: “We were thinking about how and when we should restore it, and we have bitten the bullet and decided to go for it now because it will only get more expensive.

“We hope it is a positive project for the community as it is something of value to everyone.

“Church objects are held in trust for the benefit of all and this is the case with the organ.”

The original organ at the church was built in the late 1870s but required restoration in 1948/9 after it sustained bomb damage during the Second World War.

Since then, it has regularly been used for educational purposes, as well as played every Sunday to accompany the congregation during services.

The committee are looking to secure grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund to add to the donations they are already receiving. There is also a chance for people to sponsor one of the 1,300 pipes on the organ while any other ideas for fundraising are being welcomed.

Alison Fisher, director of music at St Mary, said: “If people query the amount of money we need, well it's very labour intensive and ever part is being done by hand, so it could take up to 600 hours just to restore the sound boards.

“Occasionally it doesn't work which isn't helpful when we are trying to play hymns in the service, so we hope we can repair it so it makes a more predictable outcome when you press the key.

“It is a heritage item and a fantastic organ for the whole of the borough. We are lucky to have it and it is our duty to look after it.”

Anyone interested in helping the restoration fund can contact Alison Fisher on 020 8349 0824 or email alison.smart@ntlworld.com.