Take a trip down memory lane with 1275 pipes at the Bloemfontein Anglican Cathedral and own a legacy when you “adopt-a-pipe” to contribute towards completing the installation of the two-manual organ, with 21 stops.
These are not just any pipes but pipes from a historical 1927 ASJ Dekker pipe organ that was gifted to the cathedral. It was received in 2021.
The total restoration of the organ costs R1,25 million, parts of which have been raised during the different phases of restoration. “The first phase was to remove the organ from the original church. It required two trucks. The shell has been completed. A lot of phase two will take place off-site, which will be a major part of the restoration [process]. Some of the parts will need to be replaced,” says the director of music, Lance Phillip.
There are over 2000 parts that need replacing over time. These include electric magnets on the action, which will modernise the internal workings and improve the instrument’s reliability, according to Phillip.
Although the cathedral currently uses a digital organ, Phillip explains that from an aesthetic point of view it is better to have a pipe organ.
PHOTO: Gypseenia Lion
Brief history of organs at the Bfn Anglican Cathedral:
“The first organ was installed in 1867 (a small instrument), situated on the South wall close to the sanctuary. The cathedral was enlarged between 1876 and 1885 (the present nave was added), of which the foundation stone was laid by President Brand. In 1897, the cathedral acquired a new, larger instrument, which served the cathedral until 1998. The narrow structure of the cathedral necessitated several changes of position for this instrument. When the new tower was built in 1985, the organ moved to the arch nearest to the pulpit – and it is here that the new organ will be installed too.”
To contribute to the organ fund to bring the sounds to life, contact Janet Killner in the Parish Office at [email protected] for more information.
Gypseenia Lion
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