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St Pauls Church was originally built for the Church of England
in 1846. In 1982 it was acquired by the Roam Catholic Diocese of
Hexham and Newcastle It replace St Marys Church Bailiffgate as the
Catholic Parish Church. The foundation stone was laid on the 8th
October 1845 and the Church was completed in October 1846 at a cost
of £12000on Instructions of Hugh, Third Duke of Northumberland. The
Gothic architecture is the design of
Anthony Slavin.
The North aisle has a stone altar tomb in memory of Hugh third Duke
of Northumberland designed by Carew.
The pipe organ was showing severe signs of wear and tear, in fact
most of the pedal division didn't work and the manuals were
also in an almost non playable condition with only the choir working
on all notes.
Anthony Bogdan Organs Ltd were asked to advise and this was a
difficult task. In these days of our economic troubles Fr McGivern
was constricted by his budget but looking at the enormity of the
building, and the large congregations it attracts, nothing less than
ten channels of amplification was going to be sufficient.
Another problem was that there was no obvious location for the
speakers except behind the pipe front but the Historic Churches
would not give permission for any pipework to be removed. It was
noticed there were two passage boards on either side of the of the
swell box. So shelves were built out from the walkways and speakers were
placed onside the organ but without disturbing the organ at all.
The result is a stunning sound which washes round the church, local
organists are already planning to use the church for various
concerts and local choral societies have also shown interest. So the
liturgy is enhanced and music thrives in Alnwick, alround a good
result.
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