Plaque Organ rebuild 1939-45 St. Barnabas

St. Barnabas Church (demolished)

Plaque moved to St. Ignatius the Martyr Church c.1960s.

1939-45

Opened June 12th 1949 by Mr Conrad W. Eden

Dark oak.

The organ
in this church
was rebuilt in memory of the
following men and women
who fell in action or were
killed in air raids during
the Second World War
1939 – 1945

Organ.

Plaque 48 inches high x 26 inches wide with a carved top 4 inches wider (122cms x 66cms x 10cms).

There is a carved border of stylised flowers raised in half relief.

The dedication is in a sunken panel at the top.

The centre panel is sunken with an elaborate edge surround.

The names are listed in two columns.

All lettering is in Roman capitals.

1. The Sunderland Echo 13/06/1949 reports:-
Out of action since it was damaged by bombing in 1943 a restored, overhauled and improved organ in St Barnabas’s Church was opened last night by Mr Conrad W. Eden, organist and Master of the Choristers at Durham Cathedral.
Originally installed in 1877 the organ was restored once before – in 1924. After the war time damage it was stored under the stage in the church hall.
One of the improvements that has been made is that the pedal action is now pneumatic and not mechanically operated as before. A tablet is going to be placed on the console of the organ in memory of St. Barnabas parishioners who lost their lives through enemy action in World War II.

2. The NPOR says that the organ from St. Barnabas was moved to St.Mary, Ovington, Essex.

Photos: C. Sanders; Roland Riddell; James Pasby

Sunderland Echo
13/06/1949 reports opening.
(Available on The British Newspaper Archive)

National Pipe Organ Register

C. Sanders;
Roland Riddell;
Alan Vickers

If you are researching this memorial please contact 2014@newmp.org.uk