JW Walker organ built for Michael Phipps installed in St Wilfrid's, Ripon

It was a privilege earlier this year to install a fine J W Walker organ into St Wilfrid's Catholic Church in Ripon.

The 26-stop organ was originally made for a Castleford businessman, the late Michael Phipps. It was donated to St Wilfrid’s by the University of Huddersfield following its time there as a practice and concert instrument.

Dr John Rowntree was consultant to the project and the organ was installed in the west end loft by Wood Pipe Organ Builders. Its arrival marks a significant milestone for the Grade II listed building as a parish music venue.

Background: The organ was presented to Huddersfield university in 2013 when enthusiast Mr Phipps, agreed to re-home his beloved Walker in a new concert hall. He attended its first concert, given by David Titterington, Professor of Organ at the Royal Academy of Music.

Dr Graham Cummings, the then university organist, said at the time: “This organ is a result of Michael taking several trips to Holland and North Germany to look at and play a number of historic instruments.

“When he came back, he contacted the firm of Walkers, one of the biggest organ firms in the country, to build him a historical copy of a late-seventeenth century organ from the regions he had visited.

“He wanted it not just to sound like an historic instrument but to visibly look like one as well. “He even engaged the wood carver who had worked on the restoration of Windsor Castle to carve pipeshades with floral designs on the instrument. In fact he spared no expense.”

David Wood, right, with Benjamin Saunders, centre, and Dr Rowntree.

Specification

Pedal

1 Bourdon 16

2 Principal 8

3 Bass Flute 8

4 Octave 4

5 Mixture II

6 Fagot 16

Manual I

7 Prestant 8

8 Rohr Flute 8

9 Gamba 8

10 Octave 4

11 Open Flute 4

12 Nazard 2 2/3

13 Octave 2

14 Block Flute 2

15 Tierce 1 3/5

16 Mixture III

17 Hautboy 8

Manual II

18 Gedackt 8

19 Quintaton 8

20 Principal 4

21 Rohr Flute 4

22 Octave 2

23 Quint 1 1/3

24 Sesquilatera II 12:17

25 Mixture II

26 Dulzian 8

27 Tremulant

Console: attached Stop type: drawstop. Pedalboard: radiating concave

Flat jambs; stop labels above drawstops; Couplers operated by drawstops and duplicated by hitchdown pedals; "wind" stop on Manual II jamb;