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Rushden Echo & Argus, 28th February 1936, transcribed by Kay Collins
Organ Dedicated at St Mary’s
Bishop on Place of Music in Christian Worship
Mr Clarke’s Recital
In the presence of a crowded congregation at St Mary’s Church, Rushden, on Sunday evening, the new two-manual pipe organ was dedicated by the Bishop of Peterborough and put into use.
The singing of the opening hymn “Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore Him” was accompanied on an American organ. In the processions to the chancel the Bishop was preceded by Dr D G Greenfield and Mr J Roe, the churchwardens.
While the congregation stood, the Rector (Rev. Travers Stoney) called upon the Bishop, who pronounced the dedicatory sentence: “By virtue of our sacred office in the Church of God, we do dedicate this organ to the praise and honour of Almighty God, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
The organ was played by Mr Alfred Clarke, A.R.C.O., Hon. R.C.M., then sounded the intoning note for the Gloria. Psalms 67 and 150 were chanted: the Rector read from 2 Chronicles, 29, and the curate (Rev. John Rowell) read from the fifth chapter of Revelations. Then Mr Clarke conducting, and Mr Cyril Cave, A.R.C.O., playing the organ, the choir sang from Raydon’s “Creation,” the well-chosen chorus, “Achieved is the glorious work.” All who heard most have been inspired by the music and by the thought of what will henceforth be possible for the enrichment of the services at St Mary’s.
[part of a longer article]
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