Methodist Church

Binney Street, Euroa (church closed for worship)

Built around 1840 John Squire, London; present location unknown
1 manual, 4 speaking stops, pedal pulldowns, mechanical action

Former Methodist Church, Euroa (now Mark Floyd Funerals)
[photograph from Flickr]

Historical and Technical Documentation by John Maidment
© OHTA (last updated January 2025)

The present church building, constructed in brick in the Gothic style, dates from 1897.¹ It was sold after the formation of the Uniting Church and is now the headquarters of Mark J. Floyd Funeral Services.

The church interior, taken during a harvest festival, showing the organ to the left
(photograph from Halsall, p.198)

In August 1940, the Revd C.P. Murray wrote to Geo. Fincham & Sons Pty Ltd informing them about the small organ in this church:

52 inches wide, 27 inches deep, 7 feet 6 inches high, 4 ½ octaves with 1 ½ octave pedals, 22 x 27 inches.

Built in London by John Squire over 100 years ago.²

John Squire (1811-1890) was an organbuilder based in Pentonville Road and Seymour Street, Euston Square, London.³ He was also known as a piano maker and trained with Collard & Collard.⁴ His instruments are few and rare and the Euroa organ was the only known example of his work in Australia.

Example of a John Squire nameplate, from Cork, Ireland
(image from Facebook)

The organ appears to have been removed and then vanished around 1950. Its parts have never been located in spite of local enquiries. Clearly it had a brass nameplate, such as found on other Squire organs.

1 C.W. Halsall, 100 Years of Local Government 1880-1980, p.198

2 Letter dated 24 August 1940, Geo. Fincham & Sons letter books (State Library of Victoria)

3 https://stalkingdeadpeople.blogspot.com/2014/12/john-squire-1811-1890-organ-builder.html

4 Advertisement, sale at Walpole Street, Kew, The Argus, 23 June 1875, p.2