Continuous tradition since the founding — first organ installed February 1896 [Music Ministry leader / Director of Music — to confirm]

Music has been central to worship at HBC since its earliest days. The original pipe organ in the church — visible to this day at the front of the sanctuary — was opened on 13 February 1896 at a cost of 180 guineas plus £100 for removal and construction. The list of HBC organists is itself a quiet chronicle of long service:

Percy Woods — appointed organist 2 March 1898

William Mabbs — appointed 24 June 1903; served as organist until 1946 (43 years); a member of HBC for over sixty years; his sons “Mabbs senior and junior” played alongside the choir under Mr Garlick

The Garlick family — the influence of the Garlick family was described in the 1920s/30s scrapbook as “written deeply on church life, especially through the ministry of the Choir under Mr. Garlick’s leadership”; they later retired to North Wales

Successive organists across the second half of the 20th century — to be confirmed from church records

The Music Ministry of HBC is now broader than the organ. As the 2015 booklet records: “The Pipe organ which never had any competition in the past now have to compete with the drums, guitar and keyboard to accompany our singing on Sundays. Thanks be to God! We still cherish the pipe organ and use it every Sunday.” The Music Ministry today is photographed as a distinct group in the 2015 booklet (Page 56) alongside the Deacons and Deaconesses — the instrumentalists who lead the congregation in worship, week by week, carrying forward the tradition.

Notable music events in HBC’s history include the Choir’s rendering of Sir Alfred Gaul’s oratorio The Holy City on Good Friday 1927 (the collection of £5/0/6d was given to the Organ Fund), and many Gospel Concerts since.

Sources: [125th] p. 38, 56 (modern music ministry); [Centenary] pp. 8, 11 (organ history); [Scrap] (Garlick family, Gaul’s Holy City).