The Bicentennial Pipe Organ at St James’ Church

The plan for the new organ was announced to the St James’ community in March 2018. The contract for its construction and installation had been awarded to Dobson Organ Builders Limited of Iowa, USA. An Appeal to help fund the new instrument was launched at the same time, under the auspices of The St James’ Music Foundation.

However, the construction of the organ was interrupted twice by unexpected and somewhat lengthy delays. The first was in early 2020, when work was suspended for a period due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns prevented work being undertaken in the Dobson workshop for short periods. COVID-related disruptions to global supply chains delayed the delivery of parts and pipes. Then, more alarmingly, a disastrous accidental fire destroyed the Dobson workshop in June 2020. The roughly 20% of work that had been completed on the St James’ instrument by that time was lost in the blaze. It had to be redone.

Pandemic and fire notwithstanding, the organ was shipped to Sydney from Iowa in late 2023. The Dobson crew spent the early part of 2024 installing the organ, followed by a three-month period of “voicing” and tuning. It was appropriate that the completion of the new instrument was celebrated in fitting style with a veritable festival of fine music during the week of the 2024 Parish Patronal Festival which also marked the 200th anniversary of the Consecration of St James’.

At the Choral Eucharist on 21 July the organ was officially handed over to the Parish by John Panning, President of Dobson Pipe Organ Builders. It was blessed and dedicated by The Right Reverend Richard Hurford, a former Rector.

At a Festal Choral Evensong on Wednesday 24 July, the eve of St James’ Day, new settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis commissioned by a Benefactor of St James’ to celebrate the Bicentenary and the inauguration of the new pipe organ had their world premiere. These settings of the Canticles are by Australian composter, Joseph Twist. That service was attended by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of NSW.

The Patronal Festival Day was celebrated with a Choral Eucharist featuring the organ with the combined voices of the Choir of St James’ and the St James’ Singers. The preacher was the Reverend Andrew Sempell, the Rector under whose administration the organ replacement project came into being.

In the evening of Friday 26 July, a thrilling opening recital in the St James’ International Organ Festival was given by celebrated guest organist and conductor, James O’Donnell.
Finally, on Sunday 28 July, Patronal Festival Sunday, The Mass of St James’ by Gabriel Jackson was heard for the first time with a full orchestra. This composition was commissioned by generous benefactors to mark the Bicentenary.

The Appeal to raise funds for the organ officially closed in August 2024. Fundraising activities included a once-in-a -lifetime formal fund-raising dinner which was held in the church on 19 November 2019, along with many other concerts, events and announcements over the years to draw the project to attention of supporters. Through the generosity of many donors, a total sum of $2.9 million was raised. This amount is a testament to the passion that the St James’ community has for its music and how well this music is appreciated in wider Sydney.

Although the Appeal is no longer operational, ongoing donations to continue to keep supporting the organ project are always welcome at: https://stjameskingstreetmusicfoundation.com.au/

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Time lapse installation of The Bicentennial Pipe Organ

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