The Main Organ

The first organ appears to have been in use during the early part of the 17th century and was on a gallery at the West end. 'Father' Smith built an organ in the same position in 1702. Work was done on the organ in 1790, 1800 - 1805, 1824 and 1846. In 1852, as part of the church's restoration, it was moved to the Bellingham Chapel at the East end.
In 1877 the organ was removed to St. Cuthbert's Church, Darwen, where the casework can be seen today. In the same year Henry Willis built a three manual organ which forms the basis of the present instrument. It was enlarged in 1905 when a fourth manual was prepared for and again in 1949.
In 1969, the interior of the church was reordered and the organ was again rebuilt, this time as a three manual instrument, and returned to its West end position on a new platform. The console was placed at floor level. The work was carried out by J. W. Walker and Sons. Further tonal modifications were made in 1987 by Holmes and Swift when the organ was cleaned. The instrument is now in the care of David Wells of Liverpool.  (click for picture)

Present Specification of the Organ

Couplers

Great to Pedal

Swell to Pedal

Positive to Pedal

Swell Octave to Pedal

Swell to Great

Positive to Great

Swell Octave to Great

Swell to Positive

Swell Octave

Great and Pedal Combinations Coupled

Accessories

Six thumb pistons to Great, Swell and Positive (adjustable at switchboard)

Six toe pistons to Pedal and Swell (duplicating thumb pistons)

Reversible thumb pistons to unison couplers

Reversible toe piston to Great to Pedal

General Cancel

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