The Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust

UK Charity number 261487

Help us to preserve the craftsmanship and traditions of yesterday for the the generations of tomorrow 

About

Theatre Organ Heritage Centre and Museum

After 20 years of presenting concerts and events at the Heritage Centre and Museum featuring the Wurlitzer and Compton Theatre Organs, the venue closed on the 5th July 2026 due to economic and personnel reasons.

The Trustees would like to place on record their appreciation and thanks to all the Officers and Volunteers who, over the last 20 years, had the foresight to achieve the long held wish of The Lancastrian Theatre Organ Trust to have its own headquarters and installed Theatre Organs.

HISTORY

Since its foundation the Trust has had the dream of acquiring its own building and headquarters.  

After many years of searching, and viewing of over 120 possibilities to no avail, it came to our notice that there was a possibility of purchasing a disused Sunday school annex in Peel Green, Eccles. The building had been put on the market and the Church had received offers from builders hoping to replace the building with houses. However, the Church had a fondness for the building and were interested in an offer from the Trust, who proposed retaining and refurbishing the building to house an organ and museum. After negotiations with Church elders, the building was eventually purchased by the Trust in 2002.   

The building which housed the Heritage Centre and Museum was originally built as an annex to the Patricroft Methodist Sunday School, the foundation stone being laid on 30th November 1907. After many years, the building became used as a store for the Sunday School and eventually fell into disuse.   

After much negotiation, work finally commenced in March 2003 to make basic repairs to the building to bring it up to standard. Windows and doors were replaced, the roof repaired and the outside drainage much improved. A new staircase was built, a new kitchen installed, work done to dry the basement was successful and the original woodblock floors were renovated. Last, but not least, the Wurlitzer organ was installed in purpose-built chambers. And was presented to the public in the lovely 1920’s style theatre which seats 83 patrons.

The Heritage Centre was unique in being the only one of its kind in the world devoted to the history of the Theatre Organ, where schools and the general public could go and play an authentic theatre organ.   

In addition to the installation of a theatre organ, the Centre housed the world’s first museum dedicated to “the father of the Wurlitzer”, Robert Hope-Jones, along with artifacts from other British theatre organ manufactures. 

Activities in the Centre included theatre organ concerts, interactive talks on the history and use of theatre organs and work with the local Education Authority to provide facilities where students could be trained in both the technical and musical aspects of the theatre organ.

Additionally, the organ was available for private practice and the facilities of the Heritage Centre were available to anyone having an interest in Cinema/Theatre and theatre organs. Presentations and tours were be arranged for societies, clubs, W.I., Rotary, Schools, etc. 

The Heritage Centre was open each Wednesday for the weekly lunchtime concerts, Friday and on the first Saturday of each month 11-00am to 3-00pm. 

The Centre also had full audio-visual facilities for the presentation of silent films. 

After 20 years in storage, and after many costly fruitless attempts to house the ex-Davenport, Compton Theatre Pipe Organ, following a full restoration and refurbishment the Compton was installed in the Heritage Centre. After much consultation and major structural alterations to house the Compton, work commenced in the first half of 2017. The chambers were enlarged and the whole stage area was transformed to accommodate both consoles on the platform. The completed project was featured in the Trust's 50th Anniversary Celebration in July 2018.01