The organ was an old instrument when it was erected in St. James’s Church, and is now very much out of date in some important particulars. We understand that there is a great deal of material in it which can be used in the re-building.

It can be made into a very good and up-to-date instrument, with pneumatic action and electric blower, for the sum of about £420. Before giving the order for the carrying out of the work, we feel that we ought to know to what extent we may count upon the support of the members of the Congregation. And so we are making an appeal for promises of subscriptions to be paid about June 1st. We have received one kind promise of £50; and another member of the congregation has promised £10 if nine others will do the same, and we have already received two or tbree promises towards this.

It is some years since we had to make a special appeal for the Church for any cosiderable amount, and I venture to hope that there will be a general and generous response to this. I have no doubt that everybody will wish to avoid a Sale of Work or Bazaar if possible. It would be very delightful if the whole of the money could be raised by direct gifts. I feel sure that when the work is done, the increased beauty of the services will be a full compensation for the outlay. The promises should, if possible be sent or given to either of the Church-wardens or to me by the 10th inst.

Source: The Hampton Hill Parish Magazine - 1912 March

The response to the appeal we made for the Re-Building of the Organ will be found below, and so far it is extremely gratifying. The order has been given for the work to be done, and it will be completed in the Autumn. I hope in time for the Harvest Thanksgiving. An account of the organ as it will be is printed below. A well known musical friend has kindly promised to give a lecture in the Boys’ school on the Life and Works of Mozart with musical illustrations, on Tuesday, April :30th, for the Fund. I hope we may have a large audience.

The Parish Church Organ
"Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.’’

The work of re-building our organ has been entrusted to Messrs. Hele and Co., of Plymouth and London, which firm has re-built the organs in Winchester, Chichester and Cork Cathedrals, in such well known Churches as S.James's. Paddington, S.Peter Mancroft, Norwich and Plymouth Parish Church.

The whole of the pipes in our organ will be used again in the re-built instrument and its characteristic mellow tone should be greatly enhanced when the accumulated dust is cleared out of the pipes and some of them re-voiced.

The latest form of tubular pneumatic action will be fitted throughout. The touch will be as light and flexible as that of the finest pianoforte. The fingers will merely have to move the key or stop and the compressed air will do the rest. All cumbersome and noisy mechanism will be entirely absent.

Two new stops will be added to the pedal organ: a sub-octave and a super-octave coupler will be provided for the swell organ, thereby doubling its power and resources. The swell shutters will he made to open vertically, thus sending the tone straight down the Church. The case work will be entirely re modelled to allow of the tone to have free access to the body of the Church so far as possible.

The organ will be blown by a “Sterling” fan, driven by an electric motor revolving 1,300 times per minute, and the wind pressures will be 6 inches for the action and 3 1/2 inches for the pipe-work.

Source: H.T.G., The Hampton Hill Parish Magazine - 1912 April