St Paul's Anglican East Devonport

St Paul's Anglican Church
cnr Church & Thomas Streets, East Devonport

B. unknown [English, c.1860?] for private use in Launceston;
inst. present loc. 1884. Res. 1974-75 Laurie Pipe Organs
Reb. after fire damage Hans Meijer 2001
1 manual, 7 speaking stops, 1 coupler, mechanical action

This fine example of timber church construction was built between 1876-79 at a cost of 425 pounds to the design of architect William Gadsby [1].

The builder of the organ is unknown and is thought to be of English construction. Installed in a private home in Launceston in 1864, it was placed in its present location in 1884. Restoration work was carried out by Laurie Pipe Organs, of Melbourne in 1975 [2].

The instrument has a classical case with cornice and dummy gilt pipes arranged in five flats

(3-5-7-5-3). The metal pipework is all of spotted metal and the keyboard, originally retractable, is stamped 'Edw. Violette' [3] who also made the keyboard of the Samuel Joscelyne organ formerly in the Baptist Church, Burnie.

The church building was substantially damaged by fire on 12 January 2001. The organ was severely affected by heat, smoke and water but proved to be salvageable. It was removed by Hans Meijer who has remade all the damaged parts, the instrument returning to the restored church at the end of 2001.

[1] Charles Ramsay. A short history of the Church of England, East Devonport. East Devonport, 1963, pp.2-3