Chelmsford Cathedral recently hosted a memorable evening to mark the 30th anniversary of the installation of two mechanical action organs that have enriched the Cathedral’s worship and music programme since 1995.
The evening opened with a welcome from Director of Music, Emma Gibbins, who reflected that it was 30 years to the day, 3 October 1995, that a service was held to celebrate the completion of the ambitious dual-organ project.
That same service, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon, also marked the launch of the Cathedral’s choral foundation. Established in collaboration with the Cathedral School, St Cedd’s School, King Edward VI Grammar School, and Anglia Polytechnic University (now Anglia Ruskin University), the foundation aimed to preserve the tradition of daily choral worship as part of the nation’s cultural heritage.
Today, the Cathedral maintains strong ties with all three schools, with their students actively involved as choristers and choral scholars—an enduring legacy of the foundation’s vision.
The evening’s programme featured a talk by Dr Graham Elliott, who served as Master of Music 30 years ago and was a driving force behind the two-organ project. His reflections were followed by a recital from Samuel Bristow, showcasing the grandeur and impressive range of the instruments.
Following the service Emma commented:
“It was wonderful to welcome so many distinguished guests, current and past clergy, Directors of Music, Organists, Organ Scholars, Choristers, Choral Scholars and choir members to our 30th anniversary celebration of the Cathedral organs.
“I was delighted to see the cathedral filled with so many organ and cathedral music enthusiasts and lovers of our Cathedral and to have the chance to reflect on and give thanks for the vision, talents, generosity and dedication of those who worked so very hard, 30 years ago, to bring the unique and ambitious project to install two mechanical action organs in the Cathedral to completion.”
A History of Organ music at Chelmsford Cathedral
The first organ at Chelmsford Cathedral was installed in 1722 by Crang and Hancock, positioned under the tower—where the current Nave organ now stands. It featured two manuals and was housed in an imposing case adorned with gilded pipes and trumpet-playing angels.
Following the collapse of the roof in 1800, Hugh Russell was commissioned to repair and rebuild the damaged instrument. Completed in 1811, his work made Chelmsford Parish Church one of the earliest in England to possess an organ with a pedalboard.
In 1864, William Hill enhanced the instrument by adding a Swell organ. A decade later, he oversaw its relocation from the west end to a new site at the east end of the North Aisle.
By 1898, the existing organ was deemed inadequate, prompting the church to commission a completely new instrument. Built by Norman and Beard in 1899, the new organ featured three manuals and pedals and was formally dedicated on 25 April 1900. The inaugural recital was performed by Sir Frederick Bridge, organist of Westminster Abbey. In 1933, Hill, Norman and Beard converted the organ to electric action and added a solo division.
During the Cathedral’s reordering in 1982, plans were made for a new organ in a new location. Organ builders were invited to submit designs, and in early 1986, Manders were appointed to undertake the project. Following a successful fundraising appeal launched in 1991, Manders were commissioned to build the new Nave organ. The project was guided by Revd Dr Nicholas Thistlethwaite and championed by Dr Graham Elliott.
The Chancel organ, also built by Manders, was dedicated at a special service on Tuesday 3rd October 1995, a service which also celebrated the completion of the ambitious two organ project, the Cathedral appeal and the inauguration of the Choral Foundation.
