The second organ was commissioned from Bishop and Sons. They were asked to build a two manual organ at the 'east' end of the 'north' gallery, near to the new choir stalls. (The outline of the central tower of the case can still been seen on the gallery front).

Bishop's initially provided the whole of the Great and Pedal divisions, together with the Swell keyboard. This was installed in January 1873 at a cost of £313. Three months later the Swell pipework and another Pedal stop were added. These additions cost a further £475.

Manual CC-a 58 notes. Pedals CCC-f 30 notes.

Open Diapason 8

Keraulophon 8 tenor C

Clarabella 8

Stopd. Bass 8

Principal 4

Harmonic Flute 4

Twelfth 2 2/3

Fifteenth 2

Sesquialtera III ranks

Trumpet 8

Double Diapason 16 metal to ten. C Bourdon bass-large scale

Open Diapason 8 bass of wood. Stopd Diapason 8 bass voiced with sharp bevels.

Clarinet Flute 8 ten C large scale

Gamba 8

Principal 4

Harmonic Piccolo 2

Mixture II ranks

Double Reed 16 lowest octave French 1/2 scale

Cornopean 8

Oboe 8

Cremona 8

Open (large) 16

Principal 8

4 couplers (including Pedal Octave) with 3 composition pedals each to Great and Swell. Wind pressure 3''

(This information is taken from Laurence Elvin's book 'Bishop & Sons - Organ Builders').

This was a rather more enterprising tonal scheme than usual and no doubt made a good impression. The opening recital was given by S. S. Wesley (1810-76), at that time organist of Gloucester Cathedral but formerly of Exeter, and a great nephew of John Wesley.

In 1883 one finds a reference stating that "...the old organ was removed.'' It would appear therefore, that for ten years the church had two organs in situ, or at least a case from the former instrument, if not all the original pipes, as some may have been used in the 'new' organ at the other end of the church.

It was assumed that over the next 90 years the Bishop instrument received only routine maintenance. However, when it was being dismantled in Jan. 2000 a pencilled note was found on internal woodwork. This stated that ''T. Neal & H. Woods rebuilt this organ - July 4th. 1906". It seems unlikely that major rebuilding would have been necessary after only 33 years unless the problems that would contribute to the eventual ruin of the organ were beginning to take their toll.

By 1960 however, the mechanical action had become so warped, worn and heavy that Osmond & Co of Taunton were asked to electrify the action. This they did, together with changes to the tonal scheme at a cost of £1989. The Sesquialtera was revised and the Keraulophon gave place to an anaemic Dulciana. The Cremona disappeared as did the Stopped Diapason and the lowest octave of the Double Diapason. A useful (ubiquitous) Bourdon/Bass Flute rank was added.

The organ's centenary, 1973, saw the appearance of a detached stop-key console, designed for three manual, so plainly a reject from elsewhere. It was sited behind the choir stalls but underneath the organ (!), which was cleaned at the same time, all for £5346. Rain water damage in 1979 and 1982 necessitated further work.

Between 1985-7 the building was closed for a programme of restoration and reordering and the nave divided with a new wall. The organ was partly dismantled, the small pipes put in store at St. Michael's and the rest covered up. In spite of this much dust got into the action and onto the pipes still in place. On the re-opening of the church, the console was moved to the ‘south’ gallery opposite the organ. This work cost almost £4000. Yet more rainwater penetration in 1989 forced repairs to the Great soundboard.

Because of the building's orientation the large window behind the instrument allowed intense heat from the sun to literally bake the organ. A solar reflective film was applied to the glass in 1989, but far too late.

As a result of the heat exposure and water damage, the dust and the upheavals, a much warped and damaged internal structure, an increasingly sluggish action, many wind leaks, the poor quality work of 1960, and a loss of tonal integrity, by 1990 we had a sad and rapidly ailing instrument whose days were nearly over. The Church would either have to restore the organ on another site or purchase a new instrument.

If the Bishop, even in its semi-ruinous state, had been an historic or truly worthy instrument the first option would have had merit, though would probably have been more costly. After long and detailed discussion it was decided that a new organ would be the best solution. So we come to...