The first organ in the Parish Church was built c. 1830 by a
parishioner named Waycott, who was subsequently the first
organist at the Church, the music having previously been
supplied by the church band. Its replacement was built in 1858
by Waycott's son who, unfortunately, drowned just before the
opening ceremony. In April 1877 Henry Speechly of London
completed a new two-manual organ for the Church, the 1858
Waycoft instrument being moved to Broadhempston Church.
In 1889, to celebrate his coming of age, Paris Singer donated
funds for a new three-manual organ which was built under the
tower by Charles Martin of Oxford. It cost £2,020 which
included a gas engine, fixed in the ringing chamber, to
provide the bellows with wind.
In 1896, the organ was moved to its present position in the
south aisle chapel, necessitating alteration to the case, and
the pneumatic action was renewed. In 1906 the organ was
rebuilt by Forster & Andrews of Hull, and in 1930 by Hele
& Co. of Plymouth. In 1967, the overhaul by Henry Willis
IV brought the tonal scheme more into line with contemporary
fashion. George Osmond & Co. of Taunton converted the key
and pedal action to electro-pneumatic in 1980 and made some
other alterations, and further alterations were carried out in
1985 by the Deane Organ Builders of Taunton. In 1998, the
organ was fully renovated and improved by Deane Organ
Builders. The instrument consists of three manuals and pedals
with 54 speaking stops, 17 couplers, 2 tremulants, and a full
complement of registration aids which includes a 64 level
piston capture system. The organ has approximately 2,500 pipes
and is one of the West Country's finest parish church organs,
capable of supporting all the demands of service work, and the
performance of organ works from all periods and schools.
