Auckland's Musical Gem: New Zealand's Oldest Pipe Organ
It is not every day you get to travel to the other side of the world to New Zealand. The reason for this trip was a family visit but, as a professional organist, I did not want to miss the chance to visit some interesting instruments. For this reason I decided to get in touch with Ponsonby Baptist Church in Auckland to visit a remarkable 18th century English organ. This instrument was built in London by John Avery (ca.1738-1808) in 1779. Despite his reputation as a colourful character on the edge of legality, Avery built some important organs including mayor venues such as Winchester Cathedral (1799), King's College Chapel in Cambridge (1803) and Carlisle Cathedral (1806). The organ at Ponsonby Baptist Church is the best preserved of his production. After a first period in use probably in a private mansion or a smaller chapel, this chamber organ was acquired in 1859 by George Selwyn (1809-1878) Bishop of Auckland to be installed in old St. Paul's Church, Auckland. The instrumen
