The Lauterbach organ: a historical asset for the Eastern Cape

Johan Strydom

The Lauterbach organ is the oldest South African-built pipe organ.  There are older pipe organs in the country, but was imported from Europe and the USA as a whole, and rebuilt in South Africa.  This makes the Lauterbach organ an important heritage object.

In 1867 and 1871 respectively, two German brothers, Johann Lauterbach and Johann Adam Lauterbach arrived in Port Natal aboard the Kandaze, a mission ship sent to Africa by the Lutheran Mission in Hermannsburg.

They initially settled in Hermannsburg in Natal where they served as colonist for the Lutheran Mission. This is where they began building a pipe organ around 1871. After completion of the organ on the farm “Kameelhoek” outside Wartburg, the organ stood in a barn for over 25 years before it was sold to the Lutheran Church in Wartburg for £250. This church was the home for the Lauterbach organ for 102 years.  In 2011 the church started negotiations to replace the organ with a larger instrument, and the Lauterbach organ was donated to Johan Strydom and Lukas Coetzee, owners of Shamrock Chapel. The organ was dismantled in November 2011 and brought to the Eastern Cape where necessary restoration was done.

A homestead was built on the farm “Geluk” between Addo and Kirkwood in the 1920’s.  Due to a natural fault line, irreparable damage was done to the house, and it was decided in 2011 to demolish the homestead.  All usable material was restored and used to build Shamrock Chapel.  Building on the chapel was completed in May 2012, and the historic Lauterbach organ was rebuilt in the chapel in April 2012.

Shamrock Chapel, home of the Lauterbach Organ

In the agreement between Shamrock Chapel and the Wartburg Lutheran Church, it is stipulated that a scholarship must be establish whereby church organists can benefit for further training.  The chapel will also be available for sabbatical leave for musicians who are practicing for a concert programme.  Shamrock Chapel will attempt to generate funds for the scholarship through the availability of the chapel for weddings, retreats and music concerts.

Shamrock Chapel and the Lauterbach organ will be inaugurated on 11 & 12 August 2012.  Details about these events are available on the website, or Johan Strydom can be contacted on 072  724 9600.


Website:   www.shamrockchapel.co.za

E-mail:  info@shamrockchapel.co.za

Contact:  Johan Strydom – 072 724 9600