I've been told that the church organ at St Lukes was donated by Thomas Price (born 1874). It apparently had to be shipped in from abroad and the ship was sunk. the organ ended up at the bottom of the sea and they had to send for another one. Thomas was a councillor for Rowley Regis I believe, but don't know if this happened at the same time. I do know that he has quite a nice grave in St Lukes churchyard. He is buried with his first wife Rhoda, and in the grave with them is his son John by his second wife Gladys. Gladys is in a grave along side.
Hunt away folks........ I've tried the black country bugle but had no luck. Also asked people I know who are involved with St Lukes and they couldn't shed any light on it. Wonder if Neville knows anything Cid
"Cradley Heath CHURCH. St Luke MEMORIALS. Benjamin Sidaway d1772 & son James d1750 aged 8 & his daughters who died in infancy Sarah, Hannah & Mary, & wife Jane d1784, also Martha daughter of Jepha & Ann Gaunt & wife of Thomas Sidaway of Reddall Hill House d1796 & their son Horatio Trafalgar James d1807 aged 20 months also Thomas Sidaway son of Benjamin & Jane Sidaway d1813 also James Sidaway of Foxoak Green House son of Thomas & Martha d1813, also Thomas son of Thomas & Martha d1855. Joseph Parsons d1869 1st sexton of the parish. Oak screens carved & presented by Jeston Homfray of Colman Hill 1884. 'Bishop's Charity' by will dated 1885 Thomas Noxon Bishop of Wollaston & late of Cradley Heath bequeathed £40 to the vicar of Reddall Hill to invest & be distributed at his discretion on Christmas Day in every year. William Gould of Cradley Heath d1889 one of the poor law guardians for the parish & wife Ellen d1875 also William Ernest Vincent Gould surgeon d1894. Reredos - To commemorate Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria 1897, it was paid for by public subscription. Rev. Theodore Hayes Robinson M.A. B.D. d1908. The Lady Chapel - Joseph Holt 1914. Seats declared free & open from 1917. Renovation & restoration completed at cost of £4000 1928. Wood plaque on panelling - William Edward Deeley d1929. Same - Peter & Sheila. Candle stall - Norah Elizabeth d1968. Public electric clock installed 1949, gift of Mrs Elizabeth Hill. Organ - Rhoda Price 1949. Flower stand - Handel & Doris Parkes. Incumbents tablets, vicars from 1847. GLASS MEMORIALS. Windows in the chancel - Rev. George John Taylor B.A. d1883. Florence Holt d1892 & Oliver Holt d1901. Thomas Standish surgeon 1897. WW1 dead. To commemorate the Coronation of Edward VII & his Queen Alexandra on Aug. 9 1909 (must be wrong date!). E window Lady Chapel - Ellen Hardman teacher taught in the Sunday school for over 60 years 'Teacher Ellen' windows provided by public subscription 1933 (BCM Jan. 1983 pp6 il of Ellen, 7-8 p of window). "
A person should have an opinion on everything, It becomes tact whether you reveal that opinion or not.
In 1866 a new Organ was installed by public subscription organised by Mr Barker and Mr J B Nock. The building of this Organ was never completed, the Organist Mr Boston Heys's great wish was to see the expensive Tenor C stop added to the swell organ. Lack of funds would not permit of this because of the frequent costly repairs to the Church fabric.
Mr Boston Heys remained Organist until 1903, a period of 37 years. He was taken ill at the Organ during the 11 am Service on May 3rd. He lived for five years after that and his son Mr Bert Hays succeeded him in 1903, appointed by the Rev E A Cooke. In 1908 there was another scheme for a new Organ, the old Organ had only had one major renovation costing £90. The Gallery of the North Transept was to be removed and the new Organ of moderate size placed there, with Choir Stalls behind it. Again the financial side of the scheme was too great and the project was abandoned until 1937.
peterd wrote:1949 was it donated by thomas in his first wife memory ?
PRICE Thomas PEARSON Rhoda 1895 Dudley, St James West Midlands Dudley Register Office 202/012/89
Hi Peterd,
It may have been donated in Rhoda's memory, I don't know. But looking at the list you posted it looks more like Rhoda was alive at the time. The story is that she was the one with the cash.... That is their marriage above. I can't remember when she died, I'll go and have a look at the grave yard on my way home today.
linell wrote:From the Book a 'History of St Lukes'
In 1866 a new Organ was installed by public subscription organised by Mr Barker and Mr J B Nock. The building of this Organ was never completed, the Organist Mr Boston Heys's great wish was to see the expensive Tenor C stop added to the swell organ. Lack of funds would not permit of this because of the frequent costly repairs to the Church fabric.
Mr Boston Heys remained Organist until 1903, a period of 37 years. He was taken ill at the Organ during the 11 am Service on May 3rd. He lived for five years after that and his son Mr Bert Hays succeeded him in 1903, appointed by the Rev E A Cooke. In 1908 there was another scheme for a new Organ, the old Organ had only had one major renovation costing £90. The Gallery of the North Transept was to be removed and the new Organ of moderate size placed there, with Choir Stalls behind it. Again the financial side of the scheme was too great and the project was abandoned until 1937.
Hi Linell,
Thanks for the history above, was that in the Bugle? I did read something similar when I was searching before, but can't remember where it was. if Pete's post is correct then it looks like the organ wasn't replaced for a number of years. I must go and ask my aunt again, I'm sure she told me that the first organ that the Prices bought was sunk during the war.
Hi Cid, no the article is from a book, The History of St Lukes Church.' It only goes up to 1937, so I don't know anymore on the Organ! There are lots of names and pictures in there, didn't see any Prices, perhaps they came along later on? Will put some more of the History on the Local History Forum tonight. Best Wishes from Linell.
The information I have on St Luke's church is taken from Centenary Magazine 1847-1947 which is in rather a delicate condition now.
Not sure exactly what you want to know but here goes .......
Music was orginally performed by a musicians - in 1861 there is a note that a double bass belonging to the church is in the possession of Mr Worton, which he promises to deliver up to the Minister or Church wardens if required. A similar letter also confirms a Violincello is the poession of Joseph Parsons junior.
In 1866 mention is made for the first time of an organ in the Annual Vestry meeting, when it was reported that Mr Barker and Mr J B Nock were procuring one for the church by public subscription. (With the coming of the organ the band broke up). There is a list of the musicians together with their instruments if you are interested.
On March 25th 1866 the organ was opened and the collection at the service amounted to £40/10/- the highest ever collection at the church. Mr Boston Heys was appointed organist and choirmaster (remained until 1903). The organ was never completed and Mr Hey's wish to see Tenor C added to the swell organ did not materialise.
There are also notes concerning a new organ which was proposed, contract signed in 1940 - Messrs Compton were bombed and everything destroyed by fire. Fortunately the original organ had not been dismantled and was still going strong in 1947!
Been back to churchyard, It looks like the organ was bought in memory of Rhoda as she died in 1939. I did take photos of the headstones, but the sun was shining on them too bright for me to see what I was doing, and when I got back the dates were unreadable
this one..so it is your link...that is even better
