The pipe organ in St Mary the Virgin, Woodkirk was showing advanced signs of wear and tear, stops and notes were not working at all. The pipe organ was a not a distinguished builder and was put together from various ranks of left over pipes. The whole organ was totally under powered to fill such a difficult church with sound

It was decided the digital route was the most practical and the ancient church consisted of a chancel which was as long as the nave making the whole building difficult to fill with sound.

Anthony Bogdan Organs were contacted and Anthony recommended a medium three manual. The church made various sorties to examine installations of many makes of digital organ and it was decided to award the contract to Anthony. A custom specification was prepared and submitted to the Diocese.

The old pipe organ is still behind the facade undisturbed and the console is stored in a corner of the tower should there ever be funds to restore it.

St Marys is a difficult church to fill with sound and the building could hardly contain a huge pipe specification so Anthony, working closely with the Diocesan Organ Advisor and Organist John Hardcastle drew up a custom specification which would be interesting to play but be big enough to lead the huge congregation which St Marys boasts. Here is what John Hardcastle says about the completed organ

After the installation by Viscount, along came Anthony Bogdan with his wonderful ear for voicing. He had to work with a very critical and demanding organist (me) in an unusually shaped building such as St. Mary's is. He overcame all these hurdles to transform the organ into a beautifully toned and highly admired instrument. Time was no object to him either, he refused to leave until both he and I were happy. He insists he still has more work to do, and is returning once the instrument has had some time to 'settle down'. He is to be highly recommended and now I wouldn't trust the organ voicing to anyone else. It's so refreshing to have someone who will work WITH the organist

John M Hardcastle, Director of Music The Parish Church of St Mary Woodkirk, Batley, West Yorks. May 2010