Here at 1 Myall Street, Oatley stands a testament to faith and community. It is the Hurstville District Christadelphians. This religious group has been a part of this area since 1932. They stand on the corner of Boundary Road.
The Christadelphians are a small religious group. They accept the Bible as their only guide. They believe it to be the inspired word of God. For them the Bible is God’s only revealed message to mankind. It brings responsive individuals to the obedience of faith. This strong common belief binds their community.
The Hurstville District Christadelphian Ecclesia acquired this property around 1996. It was previously the St Stephen’s Uniting Church. Before that, it was St Stephen’s Presbyterian Church and Mortdale-Oately Presbyterian Church.
But the story doesn’t stop with the building. A remarkable pipe organ graces the hall. George Fincham & Son originally constructed it in 1905. The organ was for St John’s Presbyterian Church in Wahroonga.
In 1929, Hill, Norman & Beard installed it in a new Wahroonga church. They added a Harmonic flute 4 to Great. This was an addition of o/n 90. The Hurstville Christadelphians purchased the organ in 1961.
Two members of the Ecclesia moved the organ to its current location. It happened between 1986 and 1992. Those members were John Wright and Lloyd Schwer. Schwer had worked for Hill, Norman & Beard. He was there between 1955 and 1961.
The Heritage Branch of the NSW Department of Planning assisted in the organ’s restoration. They gave a grant for $21,000 in 2008. Peter Jewkes and company undertook the restoration work. Dr Kelvin Hastie gave valuable heritage advice.
The organ has been carefully restored. It maintains much of its original qualities. The historic organ continues to be regularly used. It accompanies worship services held at the hall.
The Hurstville District Christadelphians welcome visitors. They invite you to any of their activities. They continue to witness to the salvation. God offers this salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.
The 1905 Fincham Pipe Organ is an increasingly rare example. It is an Australian organ from this period. It remains in original condition. The Fincham instrument owes much to the nineteenth century. Mechanically and tonally, it could easily be mistaken for an instrument built in the 1880s.
In February 2009, a seven-month restoration project commenced. The instrument was dedicated in a recital and hymn festival on 31 October. David Tagg was the recitalist. He was Organ Scholar of St Stephen’s Uniting Church, Macquarie Street, Sydney.
The Jewkes firm completed the full restoration of the pedal coupler action. They restored the tremulant. They reinstated dead notes on both Swell and Pedal divisions. The firm fully restored the Great and Swell soundboards. They also restored the pipes of the Swell Oboe 8.
John Stiller documented the organ in 1985. He noted its outstanding tonal qualities. The Great Claribel is very clear. It has a distinct chiff. The Swell Gedact is beautifully mellow. It is a characteristic example of skilled voicing of wooden pipes. This is a hallmark of Fincham organs. Overall, there is good tonal contrast. There is definition between the various registers. A solid Pedal Bourdon supports them.
So, as we stand here, remember the sounds of the organ. Recall the dedication of the members. Appreciate the history held within these walls of the Hurstville District Christadelphians.