For the healing of the nations - Chris Lawton at St Francis of Assisi Church, Isleworth, London

Me playing the organ at St Francis of Assisi Church in Isleworth in the west of London.

St Francis of Assisi Church was opened in 1935 in response to the growing housing estates which sprung up in the area at this time. The organ was built by the John Compton Organ Company Ltd and opened with a recital by Dr George Thalben Ball and was originally intended as a temporary instrument. However, almost 80 years later, it is - happily for me being a Compton fan - still here! The organ is an excellent example of a pre war 'Miniatura' model and has 2 ranks of pipes - Diapason and Rohr Gedeckt. Despite the limited specification, the organ is enhanced by wonderful acoustics and is situated on the rear gallery. The specification reads:

PEDAL
Bourdon 16'
Flute 8'
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal

GREAT
Bourdon 16'
Open Diapason 8'
Rohr Gedeckt 8'
Principal 4'
Fifteenth 2'

SWELL
Open Diapason 8'
Rohr Gedeckt 8'
Flute 4'
Piccolo 2'

ACCESSORIES
Ventil switches
Voltmeter

For this first video im playing the hymn 'For the healing of the nations' to the tune 'Grafton'.

Many thanks to the vicar and wardens for allowing me access to this wonderful unspoilt example of a Compton 'Miniatura' model organ.

NOTE: this is purely my interest in order to make sure that these fine organs are archived forever and I do not make any monetary profit by this video being on dailymotion.

For more information on the John Compton Organ Company Ltd and to see me play other Compton organs, please click on the following link for my site dedicated to the John Compton Organ Company Ltd:

http://comptonorgans.yolasite.com/