Centenary celebration: "Clara" the organ reaches 100 - today!

...and we are celebrating with fund-raising recitals for a rebuild which will see the organ last another 100 years!

We present three programmes from current renowned organists (including Lyndon Ford who will bring Fantasia on "Le Carillon du Verre" - a piece specially written for this organ in 2011 by Donald Preece); a presentation on the history and importance of the Grade II listed instrument with detailed plans for the conservation rebuild (by Daniel Spencer, Principal, Bishop and Son); a presentation on Dame Clara Butt and light refreshments (including a glass of bubbly).

In 1924, the internationally renowned contralto Dame Clara Butt(-Rumford) donated a new organ to the West Ham Central Mission for their recently completed building in London's East End. Best known as Elgar's muse for Land of Hope and Glory, Dame Clara was the first popular artist to undertake modern style international tours to the United States of America and Australasia.

Dame Clara chose a local organ builder, Robert Spurden-Rutt of Leyton, to materialize her vision for an organ for the great new church. One of the larger instruments he had built to date, Spurden-Rutt used electro-pneumatic action for the first time for this commission. Dame Clara was delighted:

"Dear Sirs,

Yesterday it was a great joy to listen to the beautiful Organ you have erected in the Memorial Church at West Ham for me. On all sides I hear of the unsparing efforts that have been made by your Firm to make the Organ as perfect as possible, and the result is splendid, and I am sure will prove a constant joy to all the people down there. It will always be my pleasure to recommend your Firm as the first Organ-builders in England.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed) Clara Butt Rumford"

As well as hosting performances by Dame Clara Butt and her husband, the baritone Kennerley Rumford, the church building has been used by the National Philharmonic Orchestra to record, the BAFTA award-winning Gbemisola Ikumelo has used the site on several occasions, the Jazanne theatre troupe have performed here as has Ishmael. The church has also hosted the BBC's Songs of Praise and also boasts its own art gallery in the bell tower. And, just before Christmas 2023, the building featured in the seasonal TV commercial for the Coop.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Memorial Community Church, 395 Barking Road, London, United Kingdom