Dogs in the Manger/Solution to Choir

skooterblue2

A Practical Problem here.

Our traditional country Catholic church is 150 years old. It has severed our Parish well and weather a few bad storms and damage and is the better for wear. With an aging choir (approx 20 in total) some members have Arthritis and it is difficult to get up the narrow stair case to the balcony where we have a beautiful organ.

The elderly members dont want to move but are having difficulty getting up the stairs.... and they arent getting better. We cant simply tell them they are getting older deal with it, it would be unchristian. We cant move them to a side aisle they have to work in unison with the organ. We cant move the organ (obviously) for logistical reasons.

I am thinking about a Stair lift or a small elevator. I am not a civil engineer, architect, electrical engineer or regular mechanical engineer but I am studying Medical engineering. I dont have a background in health and safety either. The choir is limited to 25 because of fire regulations I think. there is also an issue of Health and safety with fire escape. To ignore this would invalidate all insurance.

What I want is either suggestion or Solutions to where this has been done in a "Working" church. I have seen an Elevator in St Nicolas Church in North Main St in Cork but that is now a converted Museum.

Some of the older ladies who cant get up stairs anymore dont want to change but Dont want to be left out of the choir. They give a brilliant performance and compete on a national level and deserve the best our parish can offer.

I would like to hear back from parishes who have overcome this problem with working solutions. Please. Thanks in advance.

Our Parish Priest is a bit slow off the blocks as to getting stuff done. Myself and my mother are writing a proposal with a view to installing a small elevator at the back and moving the stairs to one side to allow access. If this isnt done the choir will fall apart after a few years.

lottpaul

Is it an option to get a second console for the organ installed in the side aisle?

I've seen this work very well in St Mary's RC church in Dingle where the organ is still on the gallery but is played from the body of the church. I have absolutely no idea how expensive it is though, but it could be a long term solution.

skooterblue2

I dont know but something will have to give. They want to stay with the organ. It seems like a cost effective solution but it is a very old organ. I am talking with Pipes and all the trimmings. This is an old cut stone solid church so I am not sure how it would work acoustically.

I never believed in acoustics until I went to college, sat next to a lecturer and couldnt hear a word he said. I might run down with my mother before the end of the summer and see how it works out.