The Handel Organ

One of the church’s greatest treasures is the Handel organ. From 1718-1720, Handel was director of music to James Brydges, Duke of Chandos, and commissioned the building of this organ for the Duke’s new house on the Canons estate at Edgware, Middlesex. 

The builders, Abraham Jordan and his son, were the first to enclose the pipes of the swell organ in a wooden box with a sliding shutter in its front which could be opened and closed by means of a pedal, regulating the volume of sound produced.

Canons was demolished in 1744 after the death of the Duke and its materials auctioned. Holy Trinity paid £117 for the organ.

It was originally installed in the west gallery and moved to its present position in 1867. Although it has since undergone extensive restoration, four of the stops on the great organ and five on the choir organ are original Jordan work. In 2011/12 Andrew Cooper completely restored our Handel Organ with the help of our fund raising and the Heritage Lottery Fund, preserving the fine instrument for future generations.