St George's, Cullercoats: Difference between revisions
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===Organ=== |
===Organ=== |
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This famous two manual [[List of pipe organ builders|T.C. Lewis]] [[Pipe organ|organ]] is one of the church's greater attractions for musical tourists. One of its merits is its similarity to its original design. The only major change is the addition of a balanced swell-pedal that Lewis had intended originally but could not build due to lack of funds. It is praised for the quality of its individual stops |
This famous two manual [[List of pipe organ builders|T.C. Lewis]] [[Pipe organ|organ]] is one of the church's greater attractions for musical tourists. One of its merits is its similarity to its original design. The only major change is the addition of a balanced swell-pedal that Lewis had intended originally but could not build due to lack of funds. It is praised for the quality of its individual stops. This organ is said to have the loudest [[List of pipe organ stops|Clarionet]] in [[England]]. |
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===Bells=== |
===Bells=== |
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Revision as of 19:26, 9 October 2009
St. George's, Cullercoats, North Tyneside, England was built in the 19th century French Gothic style. Looking over the North Sea, beacon-like, it was designed by the church architect John Loughborough Pearson and built in 1884 by the 6th Duke of Northumberland. The church, in particular its impressive spire of 180 feet, was used as a navigational aid by the fishermen of Cullercoats as well as by major shipping approaching Tynemouth in times gone by. Restoration work on this church has included the replacing of dangerously corroding stonework and the cleaning of some of the stained glass. The material of the church has recently suffered two set-backs that were costly to repair. Firstly, the boiler was condemned in 2007, the lack of which rendered the church a freezer in winter months (sub-zero conditions recorded on several occasions during services winter 2007/2008). This was complicated by asbestos insulation in the boiler house and English Heritage's insistence in a 'like for like' plumbing replacement. Secondly, the church became a victim of crime through the theft of various valuable roofing materials. This created leaks during the spring of 2008 that caused damage to various interior contents of the church.
Music
Choir
St George's choir has been described in the past as "one of the best parish church choirs in the country"[citation needed]. However, in accordance with the fate of many church choirs, Cullercoats' parish church choir has suffered considerably from poor recruitment. Nonetheless the choir gives often-praised musical accompaniment to services, as well as a monthly choral evensong. The posts of organist and director of music are in recent years one and the same, Shaun Turnbull succeeding Paul Ritchie in both roles.
Organ
This famous two manual T.C. Lewis organ is one of the church's greater attractions for musical tourists. One of its merits is its similarity to its original design. The only major change is the addition of a balanced swell-pedal that Lewis had intended originally but could not build due to lack of funds. It is praised for the quality of its individual stops. This organ is said to have the loudest Clarionet in England.
Bells
The church has four fixed bells which are struck by hammers operated by bell ropes from the ringing chamber. Due to the construction of the building it can not take the strain of swinging bells. Two of the bells' hammers require repair (damaged due to wear and tear 2005). The smallest bell is most used as it has a second pulley in a more convenient location.