A new organ and choir loft for Jindera

In the small country town of Jindera, NSW, lies a quaint little Catholic church called the St Mary’s Help of Christians Catholic Church. The church is an extension of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Lavington, NSW. St Mary’s was built by the community out of a growing need to establish a parish for Catholics living in the area and for the use of the independent Catholic School next door, St Mary MacKillop College.

On the 10th of March, 2015, Mr. Paul Voskulen of Tarlee, South Australia, donated a remarkable pipe organ to be installed within St Mary’s. It was deemed necessary to house this valuable instrument within its own loft, both helping to protect it and also allowing the full potential of the instrument to be recognised (it is better for such organs to be elevated).

Engineering certification and complying development certification were obtained in May 2016. Construction began in August 2016 and during this time alternate access to the church was via the side (south) door. The total construction time was around three weeks. The architecture, design and finishing touches to the loft were all contributed by local artisans. The organ was installed shortly after the loft’s completion after being packed and transported from South Australia.

The organ houses five independent ranks of pipes and an electronically generated pedal divsion. All the ranks of pipes are accessible from both manuals (duplexed) and most are enclosed inside a box, acting as a Swell for the whole organ. The organ is capable of accompanying choirs, soloists, instrumentalists and can hold its own as a solo instrument.

Ref: http://ohta.org.au/organs/organs/Jindera.html

The organ and loft was officially blessed and opened on November 6, 4pm, 2016 by Fr. Peter Murphy. This was followed by an inaugural organ recital, given by myself (James Flores). The programme was carefully chosen to highlight the tonal capabilities of the instrument. A hymn was also included to demonstrate its ability to accompany congregational singing. The event was completed in just under an hour and refreshments/afternoon tea were served at the school hall next door.

Programme

Johann Sebastian Bach
Fugue in G Minor “Little” (BWV 578)
Fantasia in C Major (BWV 570)
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier (BWV 731)

Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

George Frideric Handel
Variations (Op 4, No 1)
Air from Water Music
Alla Hornpipe from Water Music

Léon Boëllmann
Prière à Notre Dame

Johann Sebastian Bach
Toccata in F Major (BWV 540)