The Choirs of St. Mary-le-Tower

The Civic Church of Ipswich, Suffolk

The 17th century organ that Renatus Harris built for the church was brought down from its gallery around 1850 and broken up 10 years later; at this time the church was rebuilt and the magnificent tower added. Amazingly just one fragment of the case survives pinned to the North aisle wall still showing the magnificence that once was!

And so it was that in 1864* the new Chancel north aisle came home to the new Father Henry Willis three manual organ, an instrument of around 32 stops. Nearly 70 years later, in 1931, the organ was radically rebuilt, this by Spurden Rutt. They changed the internal layout of the organ, installed pneumatic action*, changed the winding of the organ, added three stops and revoiced it “in a more orchestral manner”.

In 1964 the organ returned to the care of the Willis firm; now under the direction of Henry Willis IV. Whilst Spurden Rutt’s work was retained the actions were converted to electrical operation, the console replaced with new in the Willis III house style finished in black, with the couplers on rocking tablets over the keys; lots of tonal changes and innovations were added enhancing the organ to 42 stops (including derivations).

Bishop & Son, whose workshop is close to the church, cleaned and overhauled the organ in 1985. Whilst also converting the actions to “Solid State” switching they increased the specification further and again revoiced the reeds and mixtures, with the most effective of the additions being that of the mounted cornet on the great organ.

Care of the organ passed to Bower & Company of Norwich in 2005 who refitted the keys and replaced the pedal board in 2006 and revised the winding and corrected much of the voicing in 2007. Wind comes from a 7.5HP “Discus” organ blower which was renovated by Watkins and Watson in 2008. The organ presently has 46 speaking stops and 2715 pipes.

* With acknowledgement to information from “the Story of St Mary le Tower Ipswich”. Richard Bower 1st Sept 08.

Spring 2008 saw the completion of the restoration of the Willis organ. The following improvements were made by our organ builder -

· 
Installation of new 32 note RCO pedalboard
Installation of new curved oak pedal "sweep" supporting toe pistons
Restoration of the keyboards
New winding system
Cleaning inside of the organ
Repair of collapsing swell and choir boxes
Improvement of access to organ
Installation of new console lighting
Revoicing of the great and swell mixtures
Tonal regulation of entire organ
Repair of collapsing pedal pipe
Renovation of organ blower
Overhaul of pedal pipe work

“Songs of Praise”

 

· “I think our choir has become magnificent again and I wish them all the best in their work and travels. May they go from strength to strength.”

 

·     “The Tower is its music and I love Matins.  So keep up the good work.”

 

·     “Many cathedrals would be happy to have a choir producing such a sound”