Hele & Co (also known as Hele & Sons) were the main organ builders in the south west of England from 1865 to 2007.''The Freeman-Edmonds Directory of British Organ Builders''; by Andrew Freeman & Bernard Edmonds. 2002

History

The company was founded by George Hele (1836–1919). Initially George concentrated on selling organs, pianos and harmoniums, but in 1865 he started work in Truro building his first instrument, an organ for Devoran Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. On 12 June 1859 at

Stoke-Damerel Stoke, also referred to by its earlier name of Stoke Damerel, is a parish, that was once part of the historical Devonport, England; this was prior to 1914. In 1914, Devonport and Plymouth amalgamated with Stonehouse: the new town took the na ...

he married Mary Ann Calvert (1835-1919). In 1870 he moved to

Plymouth Plymouth () is a port city and unitary authority in South West England. It is located on the south coast of Devon, approximately south-west of Exeter and south-west of London. It is bordered by Cornwall to the west and south-west. Plymouth ...

where the company was based until 2007. During the early years of the twentieth century Hele & Co. expanded, building organs for many churches in the locality. After the Second World War, J. W. Walker & Sons Ltd took a controlling interest which lasted for several years. After regaining independence, the company continued, but in 2007 it merged with The Midland Organ Company under a new name, Midland Organ Hele and Company Ltd.

Notable instruments

*Devoran Wesleyan Methodist Chapel 1865 * Church of King Charles the Martyr, Falmouth 1881 * St Michael and All Angels Church, Penwerris 1889 *

St Michael the Archangel's Church, Chagford St Michael the Archangel's Church, Chagford is a Grade I listed parish church in the Church of England Diocese of Exeter in Chagford, Devon. History The church is medieval but appears to have been completely rebuilt in the 15th century. In 1870 ...

1891 * All Saints' Church, Falmouth 1894 *

St Uny's Church, Lelant St Uny Church, Lelant, is the Church of England parish church of Lelant, Cornwall, England. It is dedicated to Saint Uny (or Euny) who is also the patron saint of Redruth. It is a Grade I listed building. History and description The church is me ...

1913

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hele and Co Pipe organ building companies Organ builders of the United Kingdom Companies established in 1865 Companies based in Plymouth, Devon Musical instrument manufacturing companies of the United Kingdom