Tuning the Organ

Manual Pipe Organ 
Accession No. 2010/131 

This organ once stood in the choir vestry of St. Augustine Anglican Church, Merewether. St Augustine Anglican Church is an important and historic Newcastle site, built by E. C. Merewether and completed in 1889. 

Although the actual origins of the instrument remain mysterious, we know that from 1892 to 1919, the organ was in the drawing room of John St Vincent Welch's home on Sydney's lower north shore. 

In 1924, the organ was purchased by the Merewether parish and installed in their church, where it was in use for almost 90 years.  

The organ is now an important part of the Newcastle Museum collection, and collections staff work to ensure the instrument stays musical. The organ is tuned quarterly and is still played today at concerts and special occasions. 

More information about the organ can be found in the  Museum's Collection Database.