Casavant Frères Ltée.
Opus 2805, 1965

Paul R. Marchesano on July 18th, 2023:
The cost of the organ, at Can$37,500, was only one tenth the expense of the then-recently completed decorative tiles in the upper walls and ceiling of the church. Father Mott wanted mechanical action, but placement proved problematic. Six winged angels pictured flying toward the rose window in the rear gallery were going to be left with their feet and trains extending from behind the organ cases. But once the Bishop saw Casavant’s case design illustrated by its head designer J.C. Gauthier, all was well. The memorial window would remain visible by splitting the main casework, Great on the left, Pedal on the right. The angels would be placed behind a layer of gold tile. -- *2023 OHS Handbook*

---

Database Manager on December 21st, 2013:
Updated through online information from Shawn Scanlan. -- Our magnificent pipe organ comprises 25 stops and 35 ranks over the Hauptwerk (Great), Positiv, and Pedal and features a detached drawknob console with compass 56/32 mechanical key and stop action. Each division is separately encased, with low pressure, un-nicked, open toe, polished tin pipes. Opus 2805 was built under the tonal direction of famed organ designer/builder-and late husband of world-renowned organist Dame Gillian Weir - Lawrence Phelps (1923-1999), and was the fourteenth mechanical action instrument from the second generation of Casavant tracker organs. It was the first built with a rückpositiv, defined as a small organ at the organist's back, to the front of the gallery, providing colouristic and contrasting functions. The solid mahogany case was designed by Hellmuth Wolff who supervised the workshop construction of the instrument. Expert guidance was provided by Victor Togni and Karl Wilhelm. In addition to serving the parish the organ continues to be much used in recordings, including pre-nineteenth century music by Peter Hurford for the Argo and Decca labels.

---

Database Manager on October 30th, 2004:
Status Note: There 1997

---

Database Manager on October 30th, 2004:
Earliest Baroque voice organ in city.