Fundraising for Rotorua St Lukes Anglican Church -Organ 50 Year Restoration Project

In August this year, the organ at St. Luke’s Rotorua is to undergo its “50-year servicing”.

With the support of the 1974 Vestry, an organ fund was set up to facilitate a quality pipe organ for church and community. This was achieved through the generosity of the community and parishioners.

The organ of neo baroque design was built by George Croft & Son, of Auckland, under the skilful direction of Mr Ken Aplin. The organ was installed in September 1979 and dedicated by the Right Reverend Ralph Matthews, Bishop of Waiapu on St. Luke’s Day 1979. Over the years, internationally acclaimed organists from Germany, USA, Finland, Italy, Belgium and New Zealand have visited to play this special instrument. John Wells has also recorded two CD’s on the instrument.

In 1987 the church was extended, and the organ was moved from the west to the south wall. In 2001 the shutters for the positive organ were changed to be more suitable for choir accompaniment. At the same time two new stops were added and the casework modified.

The organ has stood up well to the toxic atmosphere in Rotorua, but attention is needed to ensure that the organ remains in recital condition for many years to come. A bound organ book records the people and organisations whose vision and generosity made this organ possible.