Historical overview – Sowne of Organe

Largs: St Columba’s Parish Church

Henry Willis & Sons, 1892 — organ surveyed June 2024

The Church

The impressive building known as St Columba’s Parish Church was a larger replacement of an earlier building from 1812, now demolished. Another previous, pre-Reformation building, still survives as the “Skelmorlie Aisle”. Until 1929 (when the name St Columba’s was adopted), the church was referred to as Largs Parish Church or, at times, Largs ‘New’ Parish. Designed by Messrs Steele and Balfour of Glasgow, it is built of red Ballochmyle sandstone in the early English Gothic Style in cruciform in shape, with large galleries over the entrance and transepts, purportedly giving capacity of some 1,300 people^[i].The imposing spire at the West end stands at some 150ft and houses an illuminated clock with Westminster chimes – a striking and well photographed feature of the waterfront of this coastal town^[ii]. The building was formally opened on July 15^th 1892, after a construction costing between £15,000 and £20,000 as part of the Church of Scotland’s rapid expansion and extension. The project was led by the incumbent minister, Rev John Keith and Robert Kerr Holms-Kerr, a wealthy congregant and Glasgow-based stockbroker^[iii]. Holms-Kerr gave more than one third of the original cost and acted as guarantor to allow building work to proceed, relieving the church heritors of the burden^[iv].

The Organ

The Kirk Session unanimously approved the introduction of a pipe organ into worship in late November of 1889^[v] and wasted no time in gaining a proposal from Henry Willis & Sons. In fact, the first scheme for the instrument dates from 14^th December 1889, less than one month after Kirk Session approval. The handsome oak case was designed by Steele and Balfour and realised by John Craig of Pollockshields (who carved a number of other items, including a pulpit and reading desk). The original proposal of 1889 had the organ (excluding carriage) costing £976 or (with an extended compass of 61 notes) £1061. At the end of that document, a note suggests that by building with “the great pneumatic principles [1889 Willis lever]”, the organ would be of “a much higher class”. The upgraded costs (again excluding carriage) are difficult to read but are likely £1251 or £1266(?) with the extended compass. A second proposal from Willis (1890) shows only the 61 note compass and use of pneumatic action, alongside an enlarged tonal scheme, at a cost of £1600 inclusive of carriage. It is worth noting that both documents refer to a cost without casework (separately sourced, as outlined above). Also of interest is the paragraph in both 1889 and 1890 proposals which suggest a hand blowing mechanism could be added to the organ for a further £85. It is worth noting that no evidence of this was found at the time of our survey.

There are two Willis organs from 1892 in Largs, both of which are of a similar size and would have fulfilled similar roles within large (and newly built) Presbyterian churches. Although there are similarities in the tonal schemes of the organs (for instance that of the Great organ), there are distinct differences. The Clark Memorial scheme was proposed by R. Machill-Garth, organist of the church at that time^[vi], whilst what can be found here (St Columba’s Parish) is the brainchild of Dr Albert Lister Peace (famed organist of Glasgow Cathedral and later St George’s Hall, Liverpool). As one contemporary commentator writes: “[A.L. Peace] seems to have established a kind of monopoly in the way of introducing instrumental music among Scottish congregations”^[vii]. This statement refers to his inaugurating of instruments rather than designing, making this scenario all the more significant given that he did both.

It is likely that Albert Peace’s involvement was brought about by his already considerable involvement with the Willis firm (e.g. Glasgow Cathedral 1879). Alternatively, he may have been approached to design the organ through Robert Holms-Kerr himself, the aforementioned church benefactor, who also gifted the organ. Both men held prestigious positions within Glasgow would surely suggest they existed within overlapping social circles. Incidentally, Holms-Kerr had a second dwelling in Park Circus, only a stone’s throw away from Dr Peace (who resided in Queen’s Terrace, now part of West Prince’s Street)^{[viii] + [ix]}. It is also possible that Holms-Kerr knew ‘Father’ Willis, as both men were involved with the Royal Yacht Association and captained a number of vessels.

Peace’s involvement is clear from the outset as the Willis scheme is addressed to him at his home in Queen’s Terrace. His influence is evident through the push for extended manual compasses (found on his larger instruments in Glasgow Cathedral and at Glasgow University). He was not always successful in this endeavour as can be observed in Sumner’s account:

“…in 1889 [the year of the first Largs proposal], he was asked to build a three-manual organ for Park Church, Glasgow, and sent a fine 38-stop scheme, giving the manual compass at 58 notes, the compass common at the time for all but the largest instruments. Dr A.L. Peace…was the consultant. He and the Church authorities, at an interview with Willis, told him that they wanted the 61-note compass, which was later to become general, and were quite prepared to pay extra for the facility. Willis refused absolutely and when pressed said “If you want a 61 note compass, then someone else can build your organ”^[x].

The 1890 scheme also proposes the addition of a tremulant – no doubt useful as an effect in his orchestral transcriptions – alongside octave couplers, a pedal reed, and the crowning of the Great with a mixture. Like the 61 note compasses, it is also noteworthy that Willis proposed these additions: “Willis had horror of the possibilities of octave-couplers being used in his medium-sized instruments to the detriment of the blend and balance…”^[xi]. If the above accounts from Sumner hold true, it is quite remarkable that additions were realised in the St Columba instrument; somebody involved (Peace, Holms-Kerr?) clearly had considerable influence.

Comparing the St Columba’s scheme with other instruments Peace designed (for instance, the Willis at Glasgow Cathedral or the 1890 Forster & Andrews at Bothwell Parish Church) we see Peace’s desire to have string provision on a secondary manual (also on the pedal)^[xii]. Perhaps this more ‘orchestral’ provision is not surprising, given that Peace was regarded as “specially skilful as an arranger for the organ of orchestral and other works, readiness at such adaption being in fact an essential acquirement in these days, if one is to be held in regard as a player”^[xiii]. The same article continues: “The organ is no longer employed merely to accompany church music. Its range of effects is very greatly widened, and often it fulfils the function of an entire orchestra. Quite interestingly, the Pedale Octave Wood (8’) appears in neither specification. It may be that this is being alluded to by the ink marking found below the Pedale Trombone on the 1890 draft. This appears to have been added later and in the same hand as that which adds the Tremulant to the scheme.As the Octave Wood has been realised in the instrument as an extension of the 16ft Open Diapason, one wonders whether it was a desired stop but never realised conceptually due to a concern over lack of space(?) – certainly, it seems that there was no issue of money in relation to this instrument.

Peace presided at the opening ceremonies of the instrument and inaugurated the organ with a programme designed to show off the ‘new’ tonal capabilities to full effect. An entry in the Musical News (August 1892) listed the programme he presented and states that it “included Handel’s overture, “Il pastor Fido,” written in 1720 and probably heard on the 15^th ultimo for the first time in Scotland”^[xiv]. It is unclear whether two inaugural concerts were originally intended but it is evident that a second recital – with the same programme? – took place on the following evening and was received with equal satisfaction.

Such was the quality of the instrument, it attracted a number of talented musicians to the position of organist. The first was Dr Robert Fox Frew, a recipient of one of Durham University’s first Bachelor of Music degrees, who later became founding president of the Glasgow Society of Organists^[xv]. On the appointment of Dr Frew’s successor in 1894, it was noted that there were some 200 applicants – a sign of the times perhaps, but still not insignificant^[xvi]. By 1908, the organ continued to garner praise in the Scottish press: “He [Arthur Currie] is at present organist at Largs Parish Church which possesses one of the finest organs in the West of Scotland, the building of which was superintended in person by the late “Father” Willis, the famous English organ builder.^[xvii] ^{+ [xviii]}”

By all accounts, the instrument was a resounding success. However, in one article which details the proceedings of the opening of the church on July 14^th 1892, there is an excerpt from the opening address given by recent ex-Moderator of the General Assembly (1891), Rev. Dr James MacGregor. He praised the building and its furnishings, stating that “there was not a bit of bad taste in it – barring the heaviness of the organ, and that they could not help”.^[xix] It is unclear whether this ‘heaviness’ refers to the physical appearance (very few, at that time, would have been as large) or was a comment on the quality of its tone, as it is certainly untrue of the action. Given that these words were attributed to a prominent minister of the Church of Scotland, less than 30 years after organs were allowed into worship and during a period which still saw ill-feeling towards their introduction, it could be suggested that this was a reflection of his attitude towards the organ more generally^[xx].

[i] Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette – Saturday 16 July, 1892

[ii] Church Guide (various authors), St Columba’s Parish Church, Largs – pp7-13

[iii] Glasgow Herald – Saturday 16 July, 1892

[iv] Church Guide (various authors), St Columba’s Parish Church, Largs – p17

[v] Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald, Friday 29 November, 1889

[vi] Scobie, Rev. Charles H.H., The Story of Clark Memorial Church, Largs – 1961

[vii] Evening Citizen (Glasgow), Friday 14 December, 1883

[viii] http://www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/West_Princes_Street/123_West_Princes_Street.htm [accessed 20 May 2024]

[ix] http://www.glasgowwestaddress.co.uk/Park_Circus/27_Park_Circus.htm [accessed 20 May 2024]

[x] Sumner, WL: Father Henry Willis, Organ Builder and his Successors. Musical Opinion, London, 1955, p38

[xi] Idem

[xii] Glasgow Herald – Monday 04 August 1890