Christ the King Anglican Church (formerly Christ Church)

Hutchinson Street, Mount Barker

Built by J.E. Dodd 1898
2 manuals, 13 speaking stops, 3 couplers, mechanical action

Christ the King Anglican Church, Mount Barker: exterior
[from the collection of John Maidment]

Historical and Technical Documentation by David Shield
© OHTA 2013 (last updated September 2013)

The foundation stone of Christ Church, Mount Barker was laid on 5 January 1865 and the nave first used for worship later that year. 10 years later it is recorded that the services of a "harmoniumnist" be engaged but it was not until 1897, following the offer of a gift of an organ by Mr and Mrs Barr Smith, that the organ chamber was added to the chancel which had been completed in 1886. The porch was added during the church's centenary year. Of note in the church are three stained glass windows by the noted English stained glass artist Christopher Whall.

Christ the King Anglican Church, Mount Barker: organ
[Photograph by John Maidment (5 October 2013)]

The organ was built by J.E. Dodd and finished in 1898. With two manuals and 13 speaking stops it is a workmanlike instrument that has served the church well over the past 115 years. The casework is almost identical to the near-contemporary Dodd organ in St Ignatius' Catholic Church, Norwood.

By 1991, leatherwork on the original reservoir had deteriorated to the extent that major work was necessary. Construction of the instrument rendered it impossible to remove the reservoir for releathering or to do the work in situ. The original reservoir has been retained for later restoration but in the meantime wind is controlled by vertical bellows supplied by George Stephens.

Compass: 56/30
Balanced swell pedal
3 composition pedals to Great
Attached drawstop console
Mechanical key and stop action

Town and Gown: OHTA Conference Book 1999, p.39

Christ the King Anglican Church, Mount Barker: window by Christopher Whall
[Photograph by John Maidment (5 October 2013)]