MUSIC AND THE KIRK
The Glass Kirk has a rich history of music through the people associated with the church.
Sir Frederick Bridge:
Frederick Bridge was born in Worcester in 1844 and schooled at the Cathedral School in Rochester where he trained as an
organist. He was the organist at Holy Trinity Church, Windsor where he met John Stainer, later Sir John and the two became friends. Sir John’s son, Edward was to marry Rosalind, the younger daughter of Sir Frederick.
He was deputy organist at Westminster Abbey form 1875 becoming the organist in 1882. He was a prolific composer of church and choral music and directed music at the abbey for several royal occasions including Queen Victoria’s Jubilee and 2 coronations – those of Edward VII and George V.
His connections with Glass arose through fishing. He and his wife, Flora a very keen fisherwoman were the first tenants of Cairnborrow from 1905 and from there grew his association with the Parish of Glass and its church.
He played on occasion at Glass and is often quoted as saying that whilst he was the organist at Westminster Abbey, he was the assistant at Glass.
His wife, Flora died in 1906 and as a tribute to her memory he gave the present organ to the Glass Church, designed and built to his own specifications it is said.
