AN organ transplant with a difference is taking place in the heart of Coventry where the city’s oldest rooms will also be made accessible to the public.
Holy Trinity Church is undertaking two projects – to save an iconic Grade 1 listed organ; and to restore and open up and use the medieval priest’s accommodation in the church in Coventry city centre.
A proud survivor of the Blitz, the parish church near to the cathedral has been without a pipe organ since 2006 when the old 19th century organ finally packed in.
The church says: “As a replacement, Holy Trinity has now undertaken the rescue from terminal decline of the famous Grade 1 listed Harrison organ from St Thomas, Leigh, in Greater Manchester.
“Built in 1921 and unaltered since then it has been played for recitals by Sir Edward Bairstow of York Minster, Marcel Dupré of Notre Dame, Paris, Professor Ian Tracey of Liverpool Cathedral, our own Coventry Cathedral organist Kerry Beaumont and many other famous organists.
“The church in Leigh has been closed and conditions inside were deteriorating rapidly, when Holy Trinity Coventry stepped in to rescue this iconic instrument, which has now been purchased, dismantled and put into store.
“To locate the organ in Holy Trinity there will be a certain amount of re-ordering of storage space and vestries.
“The most likely consequence is that the unused medieval priest’s rooms over the North Porch, at present inaccessible to the public, will be refurbished and opened.
“These may well be the two oldest rooms in Coventry.
To launch the project to install the organ and open the priest’s rooms, there will be a free concert at the church in Broadgate given by Holy Trinity Choir and special guest soloists, Jinny Yoon (soprano), Megan Bennett (‘Cello) and Evie Allison (Saxophone).
Everyone is invited to join the Deputy Lord Mayor John Blundell and invited guests.
It takes place on Friday October 6 at 7.30pm.
There are also free Saturday Lunchtime concerts most weeks to publicise the appeal.
