AFTER being out of action for seven years, the mighty Compton organ at Cradley Parish Church is fully working after a £6,000 restoration.

The generosity of local people, businesses and a contribution from the ‘On Organ Fund’ helped raise money for the repairs of the St Peter’s Church instrument, while a second-hand blower was also salvaged from the now demolished Church of St Luke, in Cradley Heath.

The organ has been serviced and now plays for services and concerts.

To mark its restoration, a free recital is being held on Saturday (February 10) at 2.30pm, with a performance from local freelance organist, Richard Jeffcoat.

James Brookes, church organist, said: “Richard was one of the many people who helped move the blower from Cradley Heath to Cradley, so it will be good to have Richard at the console.”

Following the recital there will be refreshments available from 3.15pm to 3.45pm, during which members of Halesowen Hand Bell Ringers will play well known tunes.

This will be followed by a Songs of Praise Service at 3.45pm, featuring hymns and songs which have been chosen by people involved in the organ restoration.

James added: “St Peter’s Parish Church wishes to thank everyone who has helped with the restoration of the organ, whether financially or practically, and hope that as many people as possible can come along on the February 10.”

Story of organ’s restoration

The organ was built in 1933 by the John Compton Organ Company Ltd who were based in London.

Compton’s were famous for building Theatre and Cinema organs (as well as church organs) and if the correct combination of stops are used, the organ at St Peter’s can be made to sound the same as a cinema organ.

Over the years a couple of stops have been changed but otherwise it remains in original condition.

In 2011 the old blower failed, and the organ became silent. In 2014 the neighbouring church of St Luke in Cradley Heath became redundant and before the church was demolished in 2016, the blower was salvaged for use at Cradley.

With the help of James Brookes (Organist at St. Peter’s), Tim Newey, Roger Whitehouse, John Dentith, Luke Perry, Karen Chaplin, Richard Jeffcoat, Simon Franks, Roger Brookes, Paul Millward, Rev. Katryn Leclezio, Doreen and John Clifton, Peter Spencer (Organ Builder), Olivier Kalunda, Damon Willetts, Cameron Lloyd and two very kind gentlemen from a local lifting company the organ was gradually brought back into service during 2017 and became fully working in January 2018.

Thanks to very generous donations from many people enough money has been raised to restore the organ and leave some money in the bank to pay for its ongoing maintenance.

Now the organ is restored, the church’s next project is to restore the tower clock from St Luke’s, which was also salvaged at the same time as the blower, and fix it to the tower of St Peter’s.

The church will soon be launching an appeal to restore the damaged dial so the hours could then be chimed out on the church bells.

Anyone who would like to contribute towards the new project can send donations to the church marked St Peter’s Cradley Clock Appeal.