The J.C. Bishop Organ The Organ built by J.C. Bishop was described in ‘Grove’s Dictionary of Music’ as the most complete GG pedal Organ ever made, both as to compass and stops. It was opened on April 23rd 1829 with a stupendous Sacred Concert, lasting from noon until 6pm. The Three best known Organists in London sat side by side on the organ stool, playing Bach’s Fugues as a Trio. Nearly two thousand tickets were sold  at seven shillings each. The proceeds went towards the rebuilding of a Girls Charity School.[1] To cope with the new large buildings and their congregations, the organ builders of the 1820’s built larger instruments than had been usual in the 18th century, and chose to emphasise the deeper tones by providing a small pedal board (until then a rarity in England) and large scaled wooden pipes to provide a grand effect.Bishop’s Organ at St James had at the time the largest number of Pedal pipes (75) in the south of England. The pedal pipes could be played from either the pedals or a small manual keyboard to the left of the manuals. At the time such an arrangement was not unique, but it is now generally held to be the sole survivor.

Between 2000 and 2003 the Organ was fully restored and returned to its original tuning and registration by Goetze and Gwynn. it is now in magnificent condition and is available for recording and recitals.

Further details can be obtained from the Goetze and Gwynn website www.goetzegwynn.co.uk/restored/bermondsey also the BIOS Conference Reporter Jan 1997 Volume XXI No 1Also BIOS Vol 25 2005