In 2021, the music team and the vicar came to the conclusion that the flourishing music tradition at St Stephen’s – which is having a renaissance following the pandemic – was really lacking a suitable, playable, and sustainable pipe organ. Although it might appear that we have a plethora of instruments, we are, in fact, using a temporary electronic instrument as a basic stopgap while we look to the future.
The church is now presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire a legacy instrument that will continue to attract, inspire, and train top musical talent for generations to come.
Music plays a central role in the life of St Stephen’s, and the organ supports the liturgy in the worship of God for the main Sunday Eucharist and numerous special services throughout the church year. Since its consecration in 1868, the church has continued to play a central role in the community of South London.
For the last three years, the Organ Appeal Committee – along with our patron, Sir Andrew Parmley, and our independent organ adviser, Tom Bell – has had detailed discussions with a range of manufacturers, structural engineers, acoustic specialists, the Diocese, and the church architect. Tenders were submitted to three British organ builders and, after much painstaking and prayerful consideration, Nicholson & Co. of Malvern has been chosen to build the new instrument.
Nicholson’s design stood out in several ways: the proposed pipe organ will be a truly flexible instrument that will not only fulfil every possible liturgical need but also provide a world-class teaching and performing instrument to encourage and inspire all who play and hear it.
The Nicholson concept is based on a new three-manual instrument housed predominantly within casework at the west end of the church, as well as a small secondary division, situated in the existing chancel case, which will incorporate parts of the original 1876 Walker organ – enabling history to speak again! The console will be detached and mobile to allow for the flexible placement of choirs, orchestras and congregations.
The new organ will be both historically-informed and forward-looking. A new west-end case will be designed to elevate and exalt the church, liberating the stunning west window which is currently obscured by the Pulham organ, and visually complementing the original Walker organ case in the chancel.
We are now about to launch an appeal to raise the funds to build this amazing instrument and we ask for donations – both big and small – to help us reach our goal. Please spread the word!
For more information, please read our Organ Appeal leaflet . If you would like to find out more, please get in touch with Fr Bernhard Schunemann (vicar@ststephensdulwich.org).
To make a donation, please download and complete our Donation Form and return it to office@ststephensdulwich.org or send it by post.
