Echoes of St. Eustachius: Closing the Festival with Music

As Tavistock’s Heritage Open Days 2025 draw to a close, the town’s grand finale will take place in one of its most iconic buildings – St. Eustachius’ Church. On Sunday 21st September at 7.00 pm, audiences are invited to step into this medieval landmark for an evening concert that promises to be both uplifting and atmospheric: Echoes of St. Eustachius: An Evening of Music.

It is a fitting conclusion to ten days of exploring Tavistock’s heritage. Where else could we end but in the parish church that has stood at the centre of community life for over seven centuries? Its tower has watched over the town through wars, reformations, and revolutions in industry and society, but inside the church it is music that has often provided the heartbeat.

A Remarkable Organ

At the heart of this concert is St. Eustachius’ magnificent pipe organ. Built by J. W. Walker & Sons and installed in 1846, it remains one of the great treasures of the church. Its elaborately carved wooden casing frames polished pipes that have filled the church with sound for nearly 180 years.

The story of its opening adds an extra note of distinction: on 25 June 1846, the new organ was inaugurated by Samuel Sebastian Wesley, one of the most renowned organists and composers of the Victorian age. Wesley – grandson of hymn-writer Charles Wesley – was a towering figure in 19th-century English church music, and his works are still sung and played today.

Samuel Sebastian Wesley

Contemporary accounts even suggest he may have briefly accepted the post of organist here in Tavistock, though his commitments in Leeds meant his tenure was fleeting.

Still, Wesley’s connection forever binds the instrument to the golden age of English church music. His lyrical, dramatic style, written for organs exactly like the one in St. Eustachius, makes the Tavistock organ not just a local treasure but part of the wider national story of music and worship.

The Evening Programme

The concert programme brings together organ recitals and choral works performed by the Church Choir and friends. The blend of solo organ pieces with voices will showcase both the grandeur and the intimacy of the instrument – from the thunder of full chords rolling through the nave to the gentlest accompaniment beneath choral harmonies.

Adding to the sense of occasion, the evening will conclude with a closing address from the Mayor of Tavistock, Steve Hipsey, drawing the festival together in one final moment of community celebration.

A Perfect Finale

“Echoes of St. Eustachius” is more than a concert: it is an invitation to listen, reflect, and be part of a tradition that has endured for centuries. The festival may close its doors for another year, but the organ will continue to sound, just as it has since that summer day in 1846 when Wesley first placed his hands on its keys – reminding us that heritage is not just seen, but also heard.

Entry is free - early arrival is recommended.