St Stephen's Presbyterian Church
Ponsonby

George Croft 1909 (2/12 pneumatic)

Photo MQ

This impressive timber church in Gothic style was designed by Edward Mahoney and Sons. The nave and spire were built in 1879 and the transepts inserted between the nave and vestry in 1907. The exterior is notable for is wooden buttresses, large windows and octagonal spire while the interior incorporates elaborate roof trusses with carved thorns appearing on the beams ands some of the doors. An unusual feature is the three Gothic arches that mark the transition between the transepts and sanctuary.

The organ was built in 1909 by George Croft at a cost of £400. Centrally sited at the front of the church in a distinctive three-flat case, it speaks well into the building. An additional stop was fitted in 1910, electric blowing was introduced in 1928, the console moved in 1937 and an overhaul by the South Island Organ Company Ltd, who currently maintain the instrument, took place in 2000.



George Croft 1909 (2/12 pneumatic)

GREAT Open Diapason Stopped Diapason Dulciana Principal Wald Flute SWELL Double Diapason Rohr Flute Viola Voix Celeste Principal Cornopean Tremulant PEDAL Bourdon COUPLERS Swell to Great Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal

8 8 8 4 4 16 8 8 8 4 8 16

* #

2 thumb pistons to Great
2 thumb pistons to Swell

Exhaust tubular-pneumatic action

Compass: 56/30

* bass outside box
# bottom octave horizontal

Photos JRM

John Fields and John Stacpoole, Victorian Auckland. Dunedin: John McIndoe, 1973, no 61
Personal communication Douglas Blomfield to Nick Beveridge June 2006
NZ Historic Places Trust Registration Report