Dundee, Downfield Mains Church of Scotland
This church remains open and regularly used but the organ is available for relocation. Interest and enquiries should be directed to Ms Judith Roebuck, Development Worker, the Committee on Church Art & Architecture, The Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YN, 0131 225 5722 ext 2431, jroebuck@churchofscotland.org.uk.
The organ was built for this church by John Miller (Dundee) in 1910. The organ case is incorporated into the pulpit. It sits on the dais at the east end of the church, and into an arched recess on the east wall. The console is attached, located below and forward of the pulpit, with the mechanical key action running under the pulpit. The organ was rebuilt by Henry Hilsdon (Glasgow) in 1968, during which rebuild three stops were changed and the Pedal was extended. The specification is now as follows :-
Great
Open Diapason 8
Stopped Diapason 8
Principal 4
Fifteenth 2 replaced Dulciana
Swell to Great
Swell (enclosed)
Gedact 8
Gamba 8
Flute 4
Salicet 4 former Viola 8ft
Quartane II (12,15) replaced Oboe
Tremulant
Swell Octave
Pedal
Bourdon 16
Bass Flute 8 originally only 16ft
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
The key action is mechanical, including the coupling action and the Pedal couplers. The actuators for the coupling action are pneumatic. The manual stop action, on slider chests, is pneumatic. The Swell box is located below the Great, immediately behind the pulpit seat, with Swell shutters at the sides. The Swell box has vertical shutters, with mechanical pedal action. The Great is high up in the case, above the Swell. Some longer display pipes on either side of the case are speaking. The Pedal action is electro-pneumatic. Pedal Bourdon notes are distributed on either side of the organ on unit chests. The blower is in a space below floor level directly under the organ.
This is a fine and well-built organ, retaining many of the characteristics of the original 1910 Miller instrument, including much of the original pipework, most of the original action, and the case and original frame. The dimensions and clever fit into the recess indicate that the whole thing, organ and pulpit, were built for this church. Although losing the one reed stop on the organ, the 1968 Hilsdon rebuild was sensitive enough to retain most of the qualities of the original Miller organ. The replaced stops blend in well with the original material.
Approximate dimensions – the organ is about 4 metres wide from one side of the case to the other. The main case comes out about 1 metre from the east wall, but the instrument uses all the space in the east wall arched recess, going back another 0.5 metres. From east wall to the back of the Pedal board at the console is about 2.7 metres. The instrument is quite tall – console and mechanics at floor level, pulpit and Swell at second level, and Great high up at third level along with the display pipes. From floor level to the top of the pipes is about 5.5 metres.
The current condition of the organ is remarkably good, given that it has not been used much for a few years. The mechanical key action is a little out of adjustment, but everything still works. The stop action has a few faults – reluctant sliders and one sticking slider on the Swell. The Pedal action is dead, but probably due to a minor electrical fault. Individual Pedal Bourdon notes sound fine if pushed on at the pipe end of the action. The condition of the leatherwork in the organ is good. There are two wind reservoirs, one above the other. Both are in good condition. There are no significant wind leaks, and the winding still holds up quite well under load.
The condition of the pipework is very good for an organ of this age. All the pipes are true and straight, and there are no signs of damage to pipework. This is a testament to the fine quality of the original Miller organ. The Great chorus is bright but gentle – appropriate, as the building is not large and the acoustics are fairly dry. There are some beautiful flute stops.
(Uploaded 3rd March 2020)
