The millionaire’s baby that became a city’s musical gem

St Bartholomew's Church, Wesley Road, Armley, Leeds

The Armley Schulze organ – which has 3,663 pipes stretching almost as high as the roof of its home in St Bartholomew’s church – is one of a kind. And yet it remains somewhat of a hidden choral gem in a corner of Leeds.

Now amateur historian  Mike Collins is on a mission  to re-write the story of the  organ.

And vicar Ian Wright wants to introduce the organ’s soaring sounds and engineering magnificence to a new generation.

Mr Collins, whose wife Thelma is one of the organists at St Bart’s, is urging people across Leeds to share any photos and stories linked to the instrument, and to St Bartholomew’s itself.

“It is unique in the world,” Mr Collins said.

“It’s here and there is a pride in it in Armley. But you’ve got to be into organs as an amateur specialist to really appreciate it.”

The Armley Schulze, as it became known, was commissioned in 1866 by T.S. Kennedy for his house in Meanwood Towers.

It was brought to St Bartholomew’s in August 1879, and has undergone several restorations, the last in 2004.