Methodist Church

Binney Street, Euroa (church closed for worship)

Built around 1840 John Squire, London;
installed April 1897 from an earlier location;
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.

Euroa Methodist Church – interior showing the John Squire organ 
[photograph by courtesy of the Euroa Historical & Genealogical Society]

The organ was installed in the church in April 1897:

NEW ORGAN.-- A new pipe-organ is expected to arrive during the next few days for use in the Wesleyan Church. The organ is of English make, has a full set of pipes, and will be a valuable addition to the church and to the town. We congratulate the members of the church on the enterprise shown in providing this handsome addition to the new building.²

CHURCH ORGAN.--The new pipe-organ to which we made reference last week, is about to be placed in the Euroa Wesleyan Church, arrived on Friday, and was put in position in time for use during Sunday's services. Mr. A. Palmer, the church organist accompanied the services with the new instrument. In quality of tone and volume, the organ gives every satisfaction, and should, prove an additional source of attraction to this popular place of worship.³

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.⁴

John Squire (1811-1890) was an organbuilder based in Pentonville Road and Seymour Street, Euston Square, London.⁵ He was also known as a piano maker and trained with Collard & Collard.⁶ 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 Euroa Advertiser, 16 April 1897, p.2

3 Euroa Advertiser, 30 April 1897, p.2

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

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

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