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excellence of execution with the finest works of Greece or
Rome.
The organ formerly belonged to the Chapel Royal, Whitehall,
and was presented to the parish by Queen Mary in 1691.
The cost of removing the organ and rebuilding it in St.
James's Church was defrayed by voluntary subscription. The
following is a copy of the Minute of Vestry, dated the 7th
September, 1691, recording the gift:—
The Beverend Dr- Tennison Rector of this Parish producing to this Bord
an Order from the Lord Chamberlain of their Maties household importing:
That the Queen's most Excellent Matie had bin graciously pleased to give
the Great Organ in the Chappell at Whitehall which heretofore the Papists
possesst unto this Parish Church of St. James to be put up here for the use
of the said Church and Parish and the said Order being read, It was desired
by the Gentlemen of this Bord that Dr. Tennison would give her Matie their
most humble and hearty thankes for this her Matips most noble Gift.
On the 22nd March, 169½, the following inscription was
ordered to be placed upon the middle panel of the organ loft:—
This Organ was given to the Parish by her most Excellent Matie the Queene
and erected at the charge of severall of the Inhabitants Anno Dni. 1691.
The organ has been subsequently altered and enlarged on
more than one occasion.
The first Rector was Dr. Thomas Tenison, the then Vicar
of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, and afterwards Archbishop of
Canterbury. In the quaint language of the Statute nominating
him the first Rector, it is said that he "hath since the
consecration of the said Church, very well and religiously by
and by other pious and learned Ministers by him procured,
supplied the same in all Divine Offices for the service
of God and the Instruction of the Inhabitants in the true
Christian Religion." In addition to the erection of St.
James's Church, Dr. Tenison further distinguished himself in
the matter of Church extension. It was owing to his