Pipe organs sold, mothballed or destined for landfill as churches close

In a growing trend across New South Wales, churches are closing due to diminishing congregations. Inside Wollongong's Wesley Uniting Church, constructed in 1882, is a pipe organ older than the neo-gothic building itself. "There's a church in Sydney that became an office space, and the organ still gets used for regular concerts," he said. "If you go to a place like St Mary's Cathedral in the city, you will hear amazing organ music and it will leave an impression on you for life." Kelvin Hastie OAM, a member of the Organ Historical Trust of Australia's board of directors, says pipe organs are large, complex and expensive to build, maintain and repair.