Abbotsford Convent Chapel – T.A. Kelly's initial design (John Maidment collection)
Historical and Technical Documentation by John Maidment
© OHTA (last updated August 2023)
Abbotsford Convent Chapel – T.A. Kelly's initial design (John Maidment collection)
Historical and Technical Documentation by John Maidment
© OHTA (last updated August 2023)
The nucleus of the chapel, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, dates from 1870-71 and was designed by the prominent Irish-born local architect T.A. Kelly. The foundation stone was laid on 16 January 18701 and the building blessed and opened on 30 April 18712. It was progressively enlarged through the widening of the transepts (each fitted with galleries) and a right-hand aisle to the nave. The building is constructed in bluestone, with freestone dressings, and the windows have elaborate decorated Gothic tracery. The interior focusses upon the sanctuary and apse with painted vaulted ceiling. Much of the stained glass is by Ferguson & Urie.
It was reported in early August 1884 that a new organ by George Fincham had just been erected at the Abbotsford Convent.3 Earlier, in May of that year, the organ was completed and a trial took place at the Fincham factory in Richmond.4
The organ was initially placed in a diagonal chamber opening on to the rear gallery. After its rebuilding in 1935 by the Fincham firm, the action (previously mechanical) was converted to tubular-pneumatic and a detached and reversed stopkey console placed in front. The 1884 specification appears to have remained unaltered.
| GREAT Open Diapason Stopped Diapason Clarabel Dulciana Principal Flute Flautina Swell to Great |
8 8 8 8 4 4 2 |
[bass] 8 CC-BB TC TC open TC up |
||
| SWELL Open Diapason Stopped Diapason Gamba Gemshorn Piccolo Oboe Tremulant |
8 8 8 4 2 8 |
gvd.bass gvd.bass gvd.bass (by rocking tablet in keycheek) |
||
| PEDAL Bourdon Echo Bourdon Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal |
16 16 |
derived at ½ wind (by rocking tablet in keycheek) (by rocking tablet in keycheek) |
Compass: 56/30
Tubular-pneumatic action
3 thumb pistons to Great
3 thumb pistons to Swell
Balanced tubular-pneumatic swell pedal
Detached stopkey console5
Abbotsford Convent Chapel – organ façade from 1968 facing north (John Maidment)
Abbotsford Convent Chapel – organ façade from 1968 facing south (John Maidment)
In 1968, the organ was moved from the rear gallery to an elevated platform at the junction of the nave and right transept by Geo. Fincham & Sons Pty Ltd. The action was converted to electro-pneumatic, a new console was installed, and a number of tonal changes made. Two new facades in burnished zinc were provided.
| GREAT Open Diapason Stopped Diapason Dulciana Principal Nazard Fifteenth Great Super Octave Swell to Great Sub Swell to Great Swell to Great Super |
8 8 8 4 2-2/3 2 |
new bass octave new new bass octave new |
||
| SWELL Geigen Diapason Gedeckt Salicional Gemshorn Mixture 19.22 Oboe Swell Sub Octave Swell Unison Off Swell Super Octave Tremulant |
8 8 8 4 II 8 |
gvd.bass gvd.bass new revoiced |
||
| PEDAL Bourdon Principal Bass Flute Octave Quint Fifteenth Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal |
16 8 8 5-1/3 4 |
A B new A A B |
Compass: 61/30
Electro-pneumatic action
Detached stopkey console
3 adjustable thumb pistons to Great
3 adjustable thumb pistons to Swell
3 adjustable thumb pistons to Pedal
Reversible thumb pistons for:
Swell to Great
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Full organ (with indicator light)
Balanced electro-pneumatic swell pedal6
Abbotsford Convent Chapel – interior facing towards the high altar and apse (John Maidment)
Abbotsford Convent Chapel – view from Studley Park,
with the chapel and convent spires in the foreground and
St Ignatius' Church, Richmond in the distance (John Maidment)
1 The Age, 17 January 1870, p.3
2 Advocate, 29 April 1871, p.8
3 Ballarat Courier, 4 August 1884, p.2
4 The Age, 2 May 1884, p.5
5 Specification noted 1966 John Maidment
6 Specification noted 1968 John Maidment