Organ monkey in a Cornwall church, Sheviock

St Mary’s Church, Sheviock

OK, I have to admit I like going into churchs and having a look at their pipe organs. I use the NPOR to look up the specs and hope to get a good look at the consoles and pipes. Occasionally you get a suprise and hear them playing, possibly a practice for Sunday, or even someone tuning the pipes. That is less interesting than you think.

It’s rare that you find a churck that not only has a pipe organ that you can play, but seems to encourage you to sit down and have a go. A church in Sheviock, Cornwall takes that approach with a welcoming sign and information about the instrument.

Given my qualifications as a true organ monkey, I powered up this lovely machine and had a bang on the keyboards for a bit. While my playing is stil up there with people asking ‘what in the heck are you trying to play’, it was great to sit at a real pipe organ instead of a VPO. (No, I still love my organ at home but it will never quite sound the same as a pipe organ in a church. My ceiling isn’t several stories high and made of stone.

The organ is a transplant from another church - keeping alive an instrument which might have been junked. The sign says:

The full history and specs of the organ can be found on the National Pipe Organ Register website.

What is it like?

It’s a small organ with a good selection of pipes. It sounds quite good in the church and it was fun to torment anyone listening. I have to commend the church for being both open and proud of their instrument. So few churches are that generous with visitors. It encouraged me to up the donation to them.

If you are in Cornwall and near the church, pop in and give it a play. It’s a great way to spend a bit of time in a lovely part of the country.

Where is it?

St. Mary’s Church Sheviock, Torpoint PL11 3EH