Church Hill

[Deeno]

Usually don't have the opportunity to take to many snaps during the day but, here are a few of one of the oldest churches in the Sydney CBD. St Philips, church hill.

From Wikipedia
"The original church was built by orders of the colony's first chaplain, Rev Richard Johnson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Johnson_(chaplain)) using convict labour in June 1793. The wattle and daub construction church was later burnt down by convicts in 1798.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Philip's_Church,_Sydney#cite_not e-3) A second stone church operated on the current site of Lang Park from 1810 to 1856. It was made from poor materials and gained a reputation as "the ugliest church in Christendom". This second church had a 150-feet high, round clock tower.[4] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Philip's_Church,_Sydney#cite_not e-4)
The current building on York Street is the second church building on Church Hill (the wattle and daub church was built on the corner of Bligh and Hunter Streets), and was designed by Edmund Blacket (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmund_Blacket). It was built 1848-56. The church tower was styled after Magdalen Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdalen_College,_Oxford) at Oxford, United Kingdom, and was opened in 1856.
Prominent ministers in the life of the church include William Cowper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cowper_(Archdeacon_of_Cumbe rland)), his son William Cowper (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cowper_(Dean_of_Sydney)) (the first Australian-born preacher),[5] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Philip's_Church,_Sydney#cite_not e-5) T. C. Hammond (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T._C._Hammond), Sydney James Kirkby (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_James_Kirkby) and former Archbishop of Sydney Donald Robinson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Robinson_(bishop)).
The church is also known as York Street Anglican and the current Rector is Justin Moffatt, who was previously at Christ Church, New York City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City)"

We look after the pipe organ.

From the Sydney Organ Society
"The organ, the second in this church, was built in 1873 and played for the first time on 26 February 1874. It was fully restored in 1987 by Pitchford & Garside Pty Ltd and a Pedal Trombone stop added. The St Philip's organ (the second pipe organ in the present building) was made in London by one of the most illustrious of English organ builders, J.W. Walker & Sons. Over 40 Walker organs came out to New South Wales last century and this is regarded as one of the finest. It was installed in 1873 after a voyage in the sailing ship Ann Duthie. In keeping with this maritime background St Philip's longest serving organist, Mr W. H. Monk (54 years' service), used to row his own dinghy across the harbour to perform his duties.

For a two manual organ, the instrument is extremely well equipped possessing no less than six reed stops. It has many individual ranks of great beauty and its choruses have a satisfying tonal blend, with all the warmth and brilliance of the best English tradition. Further, its voicing makes for remarkable contrapuntal clarity over its entire compass."

Cheers
Deeno

[Rick Petrie]

Having worked with you Deeno on a few organs I can relate to your composition of these remarkable instruments.
Great shots mate. Particularly impressed by number 3 and the way you have captured the church roof. Looks like a kaleidoscope.:thumbsup:
Have I been to this one with you? Can't remember.

"the instrument is extremely well equipped possessing no less than six reed stops. It has many individual ranks of great beauty and its choruses have a satisfying tonal blend, with all the warmth and brilliance of the best English tradition. Further, its voicing makes for remarkable contrapuntal clarity over its entire compass."
The person who penned the above must certainly have been a wine connoisseur.:lol:

[lacad01]

Great shots Deeno :thumbsup:

[peterl]

Very good pictures Deeno..
Beautiful church and nice warm images.
I like no 2. showing floor detail right up to the roof !!
Your job would certainly get you around to some interesting places. :)

[Rodstar]

Thanks for sharing Deeno.

Rev Justin Moffatt was a friend of mine at Sydney Uni - and I had the pleasure of re-connecting with him about 18 months ago when he conducted a funeral for the mother of one of my clients at St Philips. He does a great job - as does the church - to provide a place of shelter and fellowship in what can be a pretty lonely CBD.

[Deeno]

Gday Rick!
Don't think you've been to this one with me, maybe with Darrel?
How boring can tuning pipe organs be...zzzzzzzz..NEXT!

Not so sure about the finer points but, very well constructed. Relatively easy to crawl around and maintain. Holds its tune quite well







Cheers Adam





Thanks Peter
I'm very lucky. A good proportion of these old churches remain pretty much unmolested from when they were originally constructed. An increasing rare link to our convict past. Coming from a construction back ground, one can only marvel the skill and workmanship from a time when everything was done by hand, something you don't see anymore.



G'day Rod.
Putting religion aside, I don't think the general public have much idea on the level that these organizations contribute to society.

[RB]

I love your style Deeno and as Rick said, #3 is very impressive.
The b/w shots are very nice too.

:thumbsup: