Parish Office
Organ
The Anglo-Catholic traditions of St Wilfrid's, Harrogate involve much music in the services, and the existence of a fine organ is an important part of that music-making, both supporting the singing of the congregation, and accompanying the choir. On the following web pages you will find details of the two organs in the church, their specifications, and details of the recording which is available either as a CD or as a cassette.
The Organs in the Church
Harrison & Harrison of Durham (built 1928)
St Wilfrid's is fortunate to possess a very fine organ by Harrison and Harrison of Durham, built in 1928, when the transepts were finished. It is situated unusually at the North end of the North Transept, over the North door, and reached by an imposing flight of stone stairs, thought to be modeled on the Monks' staircase in Hexham Abbey, which was restored by Temple Moore at about the same time. Unfortunately, the organ has never been finished off with the case that it so clearly needs - there is a sketch for a case design by Temple Moore, but it was obviously drawn before the organ was actually built, as it would not fit the present shape of the organ front. The instrument is a substantial three-manual organ, solidly built in the conservative style of its day, but powerful and cohesive in sound, and attaining a real sense of grandeur - apart from minor cleaning, and the addition of some stops that were not originally installed, it remains as it was built in 1928, a tribute to the standards of workmanship of the Harrison firm. This organ has been given a certificate by the British Institute of Organ Studies, confirming it as an instrument of historic importance. This certificate may be seen attached to the organ.
Gray and Davison Chamber Organ (1847)
In 1995, the Chamber Organ in the Lady Chapel was donated to the church, it is a small instrument by Gray and Davison of 1847, formerly in the Christadeplhian Church in Stockport. It has one manual and seven stops, and its clear, light sound is ideal for smaller services in the Lady Chapel, as well as being clearly heard throughout the church, when used for appropriate pre-service voluntaries, or to accompany the choir when singing from the Lady Chapel.