St John's Pipe Organ
More Pictures Of St John's Pipe Organ

The present organ has 3 manuals, 34 speaking stops and pneumatic action throughout, it stands on the south side of the chancel.

The original organ, which stood on the west end gallery (long since removed), was built by Holdich in 1849, fifteen years after the completion of the building, and had 16 speaking stops. The fate of this instrument is not known but it is at least possible that some of the pipework from it was incorporated into the new organ of 1884.

This organ, built by Lewis, had 26 speaking stops and was housed in the chancel, which had just been built onto the original structure of 1834.

In 1920, Hill, Norman and Beard rebuilt and enlarged the Lewis organ. A plaque on the organ case records the dedication of the instrument in its present form:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN NEVER FADING MEMORY OF THOSE BRAVE AND GALLANT STRATFORD MEN WHOSE INVINCIBLE COURAGE AND HEROIC DEATH HELPED TO ACHIEVE IMMORTAL VICTORY THIS INSTRUMENT WAS ENTIRELY REBUILT AND ENLARGED AND A TABLET PLACED ON THE NORTH WALL OF THE CHURCH BY THE CONGREGATION AND OTHER FRIENDS OF ST JOHNS STRATFORD AND DEDICATED BY THE BISHOP OF BARKING ON NOVEMBER THE 11TH 1920

Having given excellent service for many years, it suffered considerable damage in the early 1980s when water leaked into the organ chamber through an opening in the roof. The damage to the Great was such that this part of the instrument became almost unplayable.

In 1988 the damage was repaired by Martin Cross who attended to many long-standing faults at the same time. The organ remains in his care and we are grateful to him for the personal interest he takes in 'the old lady'.

Many have praised St John's organ for its glorious sound. It continues to give excellent service as an aid to worship and as a recital instrument of distinction.

Past organists: Arthur See (1960-1980); Paul Brown (1980-1984); Darryl East (1984); Geoffrey Hobbs (1987-2005)