The Father Willis Organ
at St John's Parish Church
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Organ console, in the chancel
Pipe-work on the nave side of the organ
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A DISTINGUISHED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT NOW RESTORED TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION
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 HERE TO VISIT ORGAN RESTORATION ARCHIVE
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!
See 'What's on' for.Organ concerts and other fund-raising events