Stonnington Community Uniting Church

(formerly Ewing Memorial Presbyterian / Uniting Church)

Burke Road, Malvern East

Built 1921 & rebuilt 1955 George Fincham & Sons
2 manuals, 17 speaking stops, 7 couplers, electro-pneumatic action




Stonnington Community Uniting Church, Malvern East – exterior
[photograph by John Maidment (14 April 2024)]


Historical and Technical Documentation by John Maidment
© OHTA (last updated April 2024)


The foundation stone of the Ewing Memorial Presbyterian Church was laid on 30 July 1910. The building was designed in a Free Gothic style by architects H.W. and F.B. Tompkins and was constructed in red brick by builder T. Stabb.1 The cost was estimated at £2770 and it would accommodate 400 people. The building was dedicated on 4 March 1911.2 It consists of a three-bay nave with transepts, a fleche over the crossing, and an apse in which the pulpit is located. There is significant stained glass.



Stonnington Community Uniting Church, Malvern East – interior
[photograph by John Maidment (14 April 2024)]

The organ was built in 1921 by Geo. Fincham & Sons Pty Ltd as a thanksgiving for peace following the raising of £1000.3 In 1955, the action was converted from tubular-pneumatic to electro-pneumatic and a new detached stopkey console provided. The instrument is built into a corner of the left-hand transept with double cases containing silvered zinc pipes facing down and across the church, with a small tower in between.



Stonnington Community Uniting Church, Malvern East – organ
[photograph by John Maidment (14 April 2024)]

GREAT
Open Diapason
Claribel
Dulciana
Principal
Flute
Flautina
Swell to Great Sub
Swell to Great
Swell to Great Super
8
8
8
4
4
2




    
SWELL
Bourdon
Open Diapason
Gedact
Gamba
Voix Celeste
Principal
Horn
Oboe
Sub Octave
Super Octave
Tremulant
16
8
8
8
8
4
8
8
A



TC







  
PEDAL
Bourdon
Echo Bourdon
Bass Flute
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
16
16
8
B
A
B


  

Compass: 61/30
Electro-pneumatic action
Detached stopkey console
Adjustable thumb pistons (set at drawer)4

1 The Age, 1 August 1910, p.8

2 The Argus, 6 March 1911, p.7

3 Ibid., 5 July 1921, p.3

4 Specification from Society of Organists (Victoria) Inc Newsletter 8 June 1966, p.19