A pipe cleaning 64 years in the making is being undertaken at Pilgrim Uniting Church on Paterson Street.
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The historic J.E. Dodd pipe organ is in the midst of an extensive refurbishment for the first time since 1954.
Former Launceston resident Jeremy Smith of Ian Wakeley Pipe Organs Aust is overseeing the work, which includes refurbishment of the tremulants, sealing the wind leaks in the bellows and new electric stop switches for the cornopeans.
Pipe organist Lynda Nicholls said the bulk of the work was the repair of perished leathers in both the great and choir draw chests, as well as the overall cleaning of the instrument.
“It’s basically an awful lot of cleaning,” she said.
“There have been no other issues that needed attention, other than some minor physical repairs.”
Constructed by South Australian organ maker J.E. Dodd, the instrument is the largest of its kind in Australia to still be working in its original condition.
Not only is the voicing of the instrument unique to Dodd’s specifications, but its commanding case work features on the northern wall of the church.
Once the work on site is completed on Friday, the draw chests for the second and third manuals will be packed in crates and freighted back to Melbourne, where they will undergo repairs.
Ms Nicholls said the community had “given generously” to the project.
“About $24,000 has been raised to cover the cost of this work,” she said.
“It will ensure the organ continues to be an integral part of worship at the church, and an instrument of distinction in Launceston.”