St. John’s receives Pipe Organ from Quebec

After the devastating fire of St. John’s in November of 2001, the console and pipes of the 1954 Casavant Opus #2243 were severely damaged by fire, water and debris much beyond repair. The Organ would have to be replaced. The Organ Committee; a sub committee of the Restoration Committee was soon formed and chaired by parishioner, Jim Morrow.

After years of a volunteer committee’s research, time and effort, a brand new Casavant Opus #3845 was delivered to St. John’s on November 1, 2005 from Casavant Frères in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec. The new organ will sing with 1816 pipes, compared to the 1954 organ with 1296 pipes.

The design of the new organ was inspired by the stop list of the previous 1954 Casavant organ, which was especially well designed for the Anglican liturgy. It features a large Swell division with sixteen-foot flue and reed stops, a complete plenum based on an eight foot Diapason, a set of strings, a cornet décomposé (with Nazard and Tierce), and reed chorus. The Great division also features a complete plenum, flutes, a Trumpet and a soft Gemshorn. The Pedal Organ provides a solid foundation with three independent sixteen foot stops, plus principals and flute. The Great division is installed in the left chamber of the chancel of the restored church and the Swell and Pedal Organs are installed in the right chamber, where there is more height.

Restoration in the News

In the early morning hours of November 1, 2001, Lunenburg firefighters responded to what would be their 23rd, and final call on one of the most hectic Halloween nights in the town’s history.

Unlike the other calls that evening, which were to extinguish mostly small, deliberately set spot fires, this one was different.

St. John’s Anglican Church, a hallowed hall of worship in the town for nearly 250 years and one of Canada’s National Historic Sites, was on fire. Click for link to Lighthouse Publishing artical.

Courtesy of Lighthouse Publishing, Bridgewater