Historic Organs
PIPE ORGANS OF HISTORIC VALUE DESIGNATED BY THE RCCO
The Historic Organ Committee was formed out of a concern that many of our old and valuable instruments are being lost. Either churches close and the organ is disposed of without anyone understanding its value or the instrument itself may be totally rebuilt without regard for its essential character. The committee is totally volunteer and operates with only a few meetings a year. Therefore, designation may take some time following a presentation.
Our guidelines for designation are:
Classification A: The cut-off date for an instrument in original condition is 1930. The wind supply may be powered electrically but the original blowing system is still intact. There is no change to the chests, tonal work, console, wind system, or organ case.
Classification B: In addition to Classification A, the console has been electrified and possibly moved, but the console retains its original case and drawknobs, and the tonal work is original.
Classification C: Over 80% of the pipe work is original and the chests are still original; a restoration to the original state of the organ may be planned. (Note: this would not be a rebuild, but a true restoration to the original mechanics and tonal work). Any of the above will be considered for a citation as an historic instrument.
Classification D: Instruments, which have been radically altered so that they no longer represent the work of the original builder, will not be considered for a citation.
In order to apply for a citation, a complete documentation of the instrument with the builder’s name, the date of completion, the location of the instrument, a contact name with telephone number and address, and a set of good quality photographs of the console, façade, and interior of the instrument showing the pipe work must be submitted. A preliminary draft may be sent to committee Chair William Wright, and he will be happy to express an opinion so that you know whether or not to proceed. However, the committee itself will make all decisions regarding the worthiness of the citation.
If a citation is given, all documentation remains the property of the National Office. A certificate which may be affixed to the organ case will be awarded and an accompanying document with a few details about the award. If an application is rejected, all materials submitted will be returned to the applicant. Please note that all assessments are made on the historicity of the instrument and have nothing to do with the quality of the instrument. You may have a beautiful instrument with a few old pipes, but if it does not achieve the designation “historic” it will still remain a beautiful instrument!
Designated Organs
Classification A
St Mary's Church, Crousetown, Nova Scotia. James Wilson, London England, 1826. One manual, 4 speaking stops.
Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Frelighsburg, Quebec. S. R. Warren, 1867. One manual & Pedal, 9 speaking stops.
Holy Name of Mary Church, Almonte, Ontario. Samuel Warren, ca 1842-1875.
St Thomas Anglican Church, Millbrook, Ontario. Edward Lye & Sons #98, 1889.
Smithville Presbyterian Church, Smithville, Ontario. Edward Lye & Sons #107, 1891.
Paroisse Sainte-Anne-de-Prescott, Ontario. Casavant Frères #85, 1897. 2 Manuals & Pedal, 12 speaking stops.
St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Stratford, Ontario. C. S. Warren (#?), 1898 2 manuals & Pedal, 20 speaking stops
Our Mother of Sorrows Chapel, Providence Manor, Kingston, Ontario. Casavant #95, 1898 Two manuals and Pedal, 8 speaking stops.
Emmanuel Anglican Church, Arnprior, Ontario. Casavant Frères #125, 1900. 2 Manuals & Pedal, 15 speaking stops.
St Finnan’s Cathedral, Alexandria Ontario Casavant Frères #284, 1907. 2 Manuals & Pedal with 18 speaking stops.
St Lawrence the Martyr, Hamilton, Ontario. Casavant Frères #326, 1908 2 manuals & Pedal, 15 speaking stops.
St Patrick’s Church, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Casavant Frères #766 (originally opus 91) 3 manuals & Pedal, 35 speaking stops.
Knox United Church, Owen Sound, Ontario. Casavant Frères #794, 1919
Church of Our Lady Immaculate, Guelph, Ontario. Casavant Frères #796, 1919. 3 manuals & Pedals, 41 speaking stops.
Classification B
Placed in Dunham United Church, Dunham, Quebec in 1907. Warren organ with no Opus number and uncertain date. One manual and short pedal with five stops.
First Lutheran Evangelical Church, Toronto Ontario. Samuel Karn and Russell Warren (#?), 1911. 2 manuals & Pedal, 11 speaking stops.
Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, ON Casavant Frères #595, 1915. 2 manuals & Pedal, 14 speaking stops
St Paul’s Anglican Church, Abbotsford, Quebec Manual I: 7 stops & one reed stop; Manual II 4 reed stops (harmonium) & Pedal (16’ free reed)
Classification C
St Michael’s Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario. S. R. Warren Organ Specification 3356 with no opus number (1880) This is the only complete and playable 3 manual Warren organ in existence. 3 manuals & Pedal, 40 speaking stops.
St Paul’s Anglican Church, Victoria, British Columbia. Peter Conacher #826, 1891. 3 manuals & Pedal, 24 speaking stops
St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Casavant Frères #356, 1909. 3 manuals & Pedal, 27 speaking stops.