St James Pipe Organ

The St James organ was first built and installed by the Casavant Frères company in 1918 (Op.729), with pipe voicing done by Claver Casavant himself.

In 1960 a major renovation was completed by Casavant (Op.2565), which included some new pipes, the removal of others, a new detached console, and a complete re-voicing of the instrument by renowned tonal director Lawrence Phelps. The current instrument has 18 stops, around1000 pipes, and a two-octave set of chimes.

In recent years, some maintenance work has been done on the organ, including re-surfacing the pedals, replacing the distributors, and installing a new blower. The interior workings of the instrument depend largely on leather, which provides an airtight seal while maintaining suppleness for moving parts. The lifespan of the installed leather is considered to be approximately 60 years, so in 2023 the leather is due to be replaced.

Likewise, the interior mechanisms of the console include a now antiquated system of pneumatic valves, that also depend on leather seals and a dependable wind supply. The leather inside the console is mostly destroyed, having been invaded by rats and mice. Rather than repair the old pneumatic system, it is recommended by organ technicians that the interior mechanisms be replaced with a modern electric, solid-state system that will
not only be more dependable, but also expand the functionality of the console. The existing console and keyboards can be retained.

The estimate for this work is approximately $100,000. Should additional funds become available, a new Trumpet stop would be on the wish list, which would expand the registration options for fiery choruses and prominent solos. This is, of course not an essential addition but would be nice to have!

1960 Specifications

Great Organ (I)
Principal 8
Rohrflöte 8
Dulciana
Octave 4
Fifteenth 2
Chimes
Swell Organ (II)
Stopped Diapason 8
Gamba 8
Aeoline 8
Geigen 4

Nazard 2-2/3
Piccolo 2
Plein Jeu III 2
Oboe 8
Tremulant
Pedal Organ
Bourdon 16
Lieblich Gedeckt 16
Stopped Flute 8
Spitzprincipal 8
Flute 4
1918 Specifications
Great Organ (I)
Open Diapason 8
Doppel Flute 8
Dulciana 8
Principal 4
Clarinet 8
Swell Organ (II)
Open Diapason 8
Stopped Diapason 8
Gamba 8
Aeoline 8
Traverse Flute 4
Oboe 8
Pedal Organ
Bourdon 16
Echo Bourdon 16