Organ

History

The first record of an organ at Croydon Minster is an Avery Organ with 24 stops over three manuals only, built in 1794. Pedals were added in 1819 by Elliot and in 1864 the organ was moved from the west end to the north-east end of the church, roughly where the present Hill/Harrison organ is now. In 1867 the organ was lost in the fire which destroyed much of the church. In 1869, following rebuilding of the church by George Gilbert Scott, Messrs. Hill and Son built a new organ of three manuals and pedals. The case was in the position currently occupied by the vestry and the console in the Lady Chapel (on the north side), facing east. A few stops were added by Hill in 1871 and in 1893, when the case was moved one bay west, with the console in the chancel, facing north. In 1904 other additions were made by Hill, the action changed from Tracker to Tubular-Pneumatic and preparation was made for the Solo Organ, the 8 stops of which were added in 1912, when other alterations were made. In 1937 Hill enclosed the choir organ, the organ was cleaned and the swell pedals altered to the balanced type.

In 1969 the console was moved to the St. Nicholas Chapel and various adjustments were made by Harrison & Harrison Ltd, including removing the choir swell box. In 2000 the technology of the console was updated by Harrisons, including the installation of 128 channels of General Pistons.  In 2017, the organ was completely restored by Harrisons.