Service to re-dedicate organ

Parishioners turned out in force on Friday night for a special service in Shankill Parish Church to re-dedicate the church organ.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Nov 2013, 09:00 BST
Bishop of Down and Dromore, Rt Rev Harold Miller checks out the church organ before the service of re-dedication at Shankill Parish Church along with, from left, Rev Clare Kakuru, Karl McCambley, musical director, Rev Geoff Wilson, rector and Canon John Moore. INLM47-8408.Bishop of Down and Dromore, Rt Rev Harold Miller checks out the church organ before the service of re-dedication at Shankill Parish Church along with, from left, Rev Clare Kakuru, Karl McCambley, musical director, Rev Geoff Wilson, rector and Canon John Moore. INLM47-8408.
Bishop of Down and Dromore, Rt Rev Harold Miller checks out the church organ before the service of re-dedication at Shankill Parish Church along with, from left, Rev Clare Kakuru, Karl McCambley, musical director, Rev Geoff Wilson, rector and Canon John Moore. INLM47-8408.

The organ was re-dedicated by Rt Rev Harold Miller, Bishop of Down and Dromore, who also unveiled a memorial plaque upon which families have recorded the names of a loved one who have given loyal service to the parish.

Friday night marked the first time the organ had been played in a service since the £170,000 restoration project began in April.

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Rev Geoff Wilson said: “A fundamental part of the worship of any church is music, and an essential part of the music of Shankill Parish Church is the organ. Clergy, parishioners and visitors alike comment on the magnificent contribution that the organ music makes to services. It would be difficult to imagine ‘Carols by Candlelight’ without organ music, or the celebration of the glorious Resurrection, with no rousing, organ-led Hallelujah Choir, to call us to worship.”

The organ is a three manual organ built by JW Walker & Sons of Suffolk, dating back to 1863. The restoration contract was awarded to the same company under its new director Sebastian Meakin.

For 50 of the 150 years that the organ has been in Shankill Parish Church it was played by the much respected Duncan Peel.

Present organist Carl McCambley continues to build on his high standards of musical and choral excellence.