Christ Church Anglican Church, Essendon – exterior
(photograph by John Maidment [2006])
Historical and Technical Documentation by John Maidment
© OHTA, January 2022
The first service within the parish took place on 1 December 1889, and a brick church building was subsequently erected.1 The foundation stone of the present church, conceived as a war memorial, was laid on 8 May 19202 and the building dedicated on 15 October 1921.3 The tower commemorated the visit to Australia of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales.4 The architect was Daniel R. Dossetor, of Napier Street, Essendon and the builder C.W. Ward.5
Christ Church Anglican Church, Essendon – interior with organ to left
(photograph by John Maidment [2006])
The organ was built in 1929 by Roberts Ltd, of Melbourne and Adelaide, job number 145a, at a cost of £1060.6 It was dedicated on 16 June 1929 and a recital was given by Mr. F. Nott, A.R.C.O.7 It remains the only example of its builder’s work in Victoria that has survived mechanically and tonally unaltered and is classified by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
GREAT Open Diapason Clarabel Flute Dulciana Principal Swell to Great |
8 8 8 4 |
||
SWELL Lieblich Gedact Viol d’Gamba Suabe Flute Oboe Sub Octave Octave Tremulant |
8 8 4 8 |
||
PEDAL Sub Bass Echo Bourdon Flute Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal |
16 16 8 |
A [derived from A?] A |
Compass: 61/30
Tubular-pneumatic action
Attached drawstop console
Balanced swell pedal
Thumb & toe pistons (fixed)
Two additional swell stops are prepared for at the console: Open Diapason 8 and Voix Celeste 88
Christ Church Anglican Church, Essendon – organ case
(photograph by John Maidment [2006])
1 https://essendonanglican.org.au/history/ accessed 21 January 2021
2 The Age, 10 May 1920, p.8 3 https://essendonanglican.org.au/history/ accessed 21 January 2021
4 The Argus, 17 July 1920, p.19
5 An earlier design for a more lavish building with central tower was prepared by North & Williams
6 List of organs built by W.L. Roberts compiled by David Shield from the firm’s order books
7 The Argus, 19 June 1929, p.16
8 Specification noted 1966 John Maidment