St James Church, Bourton, Alfred Monk Pipe Organ

The Pipe Organ in St James has an engraved plate on it that informs it was placed in the church by the first Vicar, Rev. John B. Kearney in 1881. Another plate informs that it was built by Alfred Monk of London. It was originally located on the south wall of the church but moved to it's present position when the Vestry was built in 1907. (See SHS Listing No N814). It was regularly played throughout it's early history and the log-book informs that it was being played up to 1979. A lot of money has been spent on it over the years and this listing mainly contains invoices for work carried out on it. The British Organ Archive noted that it was just about playable in 1995, but has likely not been turned on since. At some time after the mid 1920s the hand pumping system for the Blower was replced by an electric blower. The Blower Box is lined with Asbestos material and it is likely the main housing to the rear also has similar cladding to act as sound deadening.

Also in this file is the little log-book of the history of the Organ from 1951 - 1979.

St James papers