It seems the organ at St Enoch’s has quite a back history.
On 21st August 1945 at a Parish Council meeting it was decided there should be a suitable War Memorial for the Alexandra Church as there was a need for a new organ. This would be discussed with the congregation at the Annual meeting. The meeting was duly held and a sum of £600 had been received in donations or promised. It was moved, seconded and carried unanimously that another organ be purchased.
On the 31st October 1951 Two members of the Council travelled to Dunedin to interview Mr Aldern regarding installing the pipe organ. It was then installed in St Enoch’s in January 1952 and the organ was dedicated in December 1952.
The organ was originally from St John’s Church in Waikouaiti and was a war memorial.
Originally built by Bishop & Starr, it was rebuilt by Aldern-Dunedin in1944 (Job No. 73933) and dedicated in December 1952.
A one-manual & pedal instrument, thought to be part of a Bishop & Starr 1873 organ installed in St Alban’s Methodist Church, Christchurch and removed in 1906 to Waikouaiti Anglican Church, from whence it was removed in 1940.
The organ has led quite a chequered life and has been rebuilt and moved a number of times and is only part of the 1873 original organ.