Sweeter sounds of worship are now coming from Our Lady of Refuge in Cromer, North Norfolk, after the church’s new organ was blessed by the Bishop of East Anglia, Rt Rev Alan Hopes during a special evening service on January 8.

It was Bishop Alan’s first visit to the seaside town and he joined in the celebrations with the Cromer community by leading a special Offering of the Mass at 7pm and blessing the new organ.

Bishop Alan said: “Music is an integral and important part of worship.”  He thanked Mary Henriksen for her playing of the organ and the choir for the singing and encouraged the congregation to sing more, quoting St Augustine, who said: “Those who sing pray twice.”

The Mass was a musical celebration with carols being sung for the Epiphany, Plainchant Missa de Angelis, and the organist, Mary Henriksen, played works by Purcell, Pachelbel, Buxtehude and variations on Bach Chorals amongst other music. The choir was conducted by Paul Henriksen.

Parish priest, Fr Denys Lloyd, thanked Bishop Alan for coming to Cromer and, after the service, everyone was invited into the church hall for refreshments

The organ has been described as the “King of all instruments” and Dutch manufacturer Eminent has been building organs since 1960. The Cromer organ has two manuals and pedal, and has been designed and specially voiced for the church using the latest digital technology and the sound is transmitted through five channels of sound and 17 speakers.   This design makes it virtually indistinguishable from a pipe organ.

The organ was installed by Cathedral Organs from Welwyn Garden City.

Pictured above, the Bishop of East Anglia, the Rt Rev Alan Hopes, chatting to Cromer church organist Mary Henriksen and choir-master Paul Henriksen. 

See a picture gallery of the whole event below.