In 1837 King William the Fourth commissioned a young organ builder, William Hill and his partner Frederick Davison of London, to build and install a new organ in the Chapel Royal of St. James Palace, which in those days was the Royal Palace (even today all foreign ambassadors are still assigned to the court of St. James, London)
During its time in the Chapel Royal the organ was used on many royal occasions - baptisms - Royal family weddings, including the then Princess Royal's marriage to the Crown Prince of Prussia and on February 10th 1840 at the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg, when, it was reported, over 300 guests were squeezed into the small chapel.
During 1865 the Queen was advised that the organ was no longer suitable for the purpose for which it was being used - Mr. William Hill was subsequently requested to build a new organ for the Chapel Royal.
Thus it was that in 1868 the old organ found its way to the "new" town of Barrow-in-Furness, to be installed in the town's church of St. James the Great.
Although a wonderful acquisition, in the decade that followed the action of the instrument began to give cause for concern and it was decided to call in some experts to consider what could be done without damaging the historic organ.
During its time in the Chapel Royal the organ was used on many royal occasions -
During 1865 the Queen was advised that the organ was no longer suitable for the purpose for which it was being used -
Thus it was that in 1868 the old organ found its way to the "new" town of Barrow-
Although a wonderful acquisition, in the decade that followed the action of the instrument began to give cause for concern and it was decided to call in some experts to consider what could be done without damaging the historic organ.
