Historic organ is to take pride of place as church sees big changes

A CHURCH is putting the restoration of a rare 19th century organ at the forefront of its plans to reshape its future.

- DANIEL HALL

The organ at St John’s Church in Killingworth is one of only a handful of Grade II listed organs in the United Kingdom.

The British Institute of Organ Studies has listed the organ because of its “national importance and significance”, and says that it is protected in the same way that ancient buildings are.

The organ is being restored and repaired, before being relocated to a newly-built mezzanine floor in the church, which remains unfinished despite the first stone being laid in 1869.

As well as the organ being moved to a new home, traditional church pews have been replaced with moveable seating with the aim of creating a more flexible space, thanks to a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of almost £200,000.