Uniting Church, North Melbourne – exterior from the north
[photograph by John Maidment (16 September 2020)]
Uniting Church, North Melbourne – exterior from the north
[photograph by John Maidment (16 September 2020)]
Historical and Technical Documentation by John Maidment
© OHTA (last updated September 2023)
The North Melbourne (or Hotham) congregation was founded in 1854 and the first church, built in bluestone, opened on 8 April 18591. This building was pulled apart and re-erected on its present site in Elm Street to allow room for the present church which was designed by Brunswick architect Evander McIver and opened on 31 August 18792. It was constructed in bichrome brickwork, the exterior has a commanding tower and spire 150 feet in height, and the spacious interior has galleries on three sides, supported on cast iron columns.
The earlier church (now the hall) has several windows designed and made by Ferguson & Urie, whose stained glass works were almost opposite. The present church includes quarry glass with coloured borders and an elaborate rose window facing west (the glass of which was stored during a restoration of the church and is now in storage)3.
The earliest pipe organ was placed in the church on hire in 18854. Fincham & Hobday built a new organ for the church at a cost of £3405. A recital was given by J. Albert Mallinson on 19 March 1896 to celebrate its opening6. The organ was initially placed in an apse gallery obscuring the rose window behind. The console was extended in 1914 using mechanical action. The organ had a typical standard Fincham case of the period with two outer towers and a central flat.
In 1953, the organ was moved to the rear gallery and rebuilt by Hill, Norman & Beard (Australia) Pty Ltd with electro-pneumatic action and detached stopkey console. Several tonal additions were made. The inaugural recital was given by Leonard Fullard on 29 November 19537. The organ was removed around 1986 and some parts used in the organ at St Aidan's Uniting Church, North Balwyn.
| GREAT Open Diapason Claribel Flute Dulciana Principal Flute Fifteenth Swell Sub Octave to Great Swell to Great Swell Octave to Great |
8 8 8 4 4 2 |
||
| SWELL Geigen Principal Lieblich Gedeckt Salicional Salicet Fifteenth Trompette Oboe Sub Octave Octave Tremulant |
8 8 8 4 2 8 8 |
prepared-for prepared-for |
|
| PEDAL Subbass Bourdon Flute Octave Flute Great to Pedal Swell to Pedal |
16 16 8 4 |
new A A A |
Compass: 61/30
Detached stopkey console
Balanced swell pedal
Electro-pneumatic action8
Former Uniting Church, North Melbourne – the 1988 Smenge organ from the church floor
[photograph by John Maidment (2 December 2007)]
The present organ was built between 1987 and 1988 by Knud Smenge in consultation with Bill Martin and John Maynard, from the Uniting Church. It stands high up on a rear gallery, with a striking case of Scandinavian design constructed from Brazilian mahogany incorporating pipes of the Principal 8ft.
| MANUAL Principal Rohrflute Octave Spitsfl. Waldflute Mixture PEDAL Subbass |
8 8 4 4 2 IV-V 16 |
Manual to pedal coupler (operated by foot lever)
Tremulant (by hand lever)
Mechanical key and stop action9
Former Uniting Church, North Melbourne – the 1988 Smenge : console detail
[photograph by John Maidment (16 September 2023)]
1 The Argus, 9 April 1859, p.5
2 Ibid., 3 September 1879, p.3
3 See the Ferguson & Urie website for further details
4 E.N. Matthews, Colonial Organs and Organbuilders (Carlton: Melbourne University Press, 1969), p.142
5 North Melbourne Courier and West Melbourne Advertiser, 6 November 1896, p.2
6 Ibid., 27 March 1896, p.3
7 Details from recital programme 19 November 1953
8 Specification noted by John Maidment 1966 from Hill, Norman & Beard records
9 Specification noted by John Maidment 1988