Father Willis Organ - Cardiff City Centre Parish

The organ of St John's Parish Church was built in 1894 by the English organ builder 'Father' Henry Willis. It is a fine, powerful instrument. Few like it remain, unmodified from its original construction. About half of it was working when restoration began in May 2004. Despite this, it was possible for several distinguished organists to use it for recitals up to the time it was dismantled, in the series of organ concerts shared between St David's Hall, Eglwys Dewi Sant (also in possession of a Father Willis Organ), the National Museum, and St John's Church. The efforts of local enthusiasts have borne fruit in the launch of a restoration project to put the organ back into original working condition. The Welsh Heritage Lottery Fund granted £199,000 towards the final cost of £265,000 in December 2002. The Liverpudlian organ builder David Wells was appointed to do the job. St John's organist Philip Thomas, organiser of CARDIFF ORGAN EVENTS took on the role of project co-ordinator, and Organ Curator. Work on dismantling the instrument and shipping vital parts to Liverpool for renovation began in May 2004, and the work of reconstruction and testing the restored instrument lasted all of twelve months.

CLICK ON THE NUMBER LINKS BELOW TO VIEW THE ORGAN RESTORATION PICTURE JOURNAL (.PDF files)

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Thomas Trotter, organist of the city of Birmingham, and the Parish Church of St Margaret's Westminster, was honoured patron of this appeal. He played the inaugural concert following the completion of the restoration work, on Monday evening 22nd August 2005

The organ was re-dedicated on 24th June at the Patronal Festival Eucharist of St John the Baptist by Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt. Revd. David Yeoman - a former Curate of the Parish!

CLOSING THE FINAL GAP - SUPPORT OUR ORGAN FUND APPEAL

Without the grant from Heritage Lottery, the possibility of restoring this historic instrument would be out of the reach of the church and local enthusiasts. Due to their efforts over the years, the amount remaining to be raised to hit the final target of £300,000 is now just £30,000. Far-sighted members of the organ restoration committee have set themselves the target of raising £35,000 over and above the restoration costs to set up a trust fund, whose income will be used long-term to finance maintenance and conservation of the instrument.

SPONSOR A PIPE

Our 'Willis' organ houses more than 2,700 pipes. They vary in length from half an inch to a massive 16 feet. The smallest are just as important as the largest. Every pipe plays its special part in the working instrument. 'Sponsor a pipe' operates in the same way. Individual donations combine to cover generously outstanding costs of project. Single pipe sponsorship ranges from £10 for a small pipe, to £50 for a 16' pipe. Separate sponsorship of the spotted metal 'display' pipes of the organ casing, ranges from £100-250. Sponsorship of entire 'stops', each containing 58 pipes, ranges from £500-2,500. Every donation makes a difference.

Future organ concerts and fund-raising events will be advertised on the 'What's on' page.