The Church of St James the Great

in the Parish of Morpeth

Some 30 years after the dedication of St. James's, this three-manual organ by Harrison and Harrison was installed.

It is an historic instrument, reputedly the last major organ built by Harrisons in Lacashire, before their factory moved to its present location in Durham City.

It is of a scope and compass commensurate with the size of the building, and had it been left in its original tracker-action form, it would probably have been in full working order still.

Unfortunately, in the early years of the 20th century, the action was replaced by the then-popular tubular-pneumatic mechanism. The work was of an inferior standard, and has decayed to the point where the organ is unusable. A truly considerable sum would be needed for its full restoration.

The present organ, right, is a digitally sampled Viscount two-manual of Italian manufacture. It was commissioned from Harrison's of Blaydon, with acoustic installation by electronic instrument specialist Rob Dalkin.

Again, the instrument and its sound-system were installed to be a very good match for the building. So well does it sound that few visitors are aware that it is not the original organ that is being played.

More modern church music is provided by a fine and versatile Yamaha digital piano.

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