About the Organ at St. Anthony of Padua

At the heart of our musical worship at St. Anthony of Padua stands a remarkable instrument with a rich history – the 1912 Casavant Frères Pipe Organ (Opus 489). As the church organist since July 2023, I have the distinct pleasure of bringing this magnificent instrument to life each weekend for our liturgies and special celebrations.

A Historic Treasure

The Casavant organ at St. Anthony's is a masterpiece of early 20th-century organ building. Installed in 1912, this four-manual instrument features an impressive array of stops across five divisions: Grand Orgue, Récit, Positif, Solo, and Pédale. What makes this organ particularly special is its unique tonal characteristics that blend traditional French-Canadian voicing with early American Classic influences.

The instrument underwent notable tonal modifications in 1927 by Omer J. Bernier, representing an early step toward what would later become known as the "American Classic" sound. These changes occurred seven years before the famous G. Donald Harrison Aeolian-Skinner instrument at Boston's Church of the Advent, positioning our organ at the forefront of evolving American organ building traditions.

Technical Marvels

Our Casavant organ contains several unusual features that make it particularly interesting to organ enthusiasts:

  • A Sostenuto device that allows notes to be held on certain manuals while playing on others (currently only operational on the Récit division with select notes)

  • Extension ranks that expand the tonal palette beyond the standard 61 notes

  • A dedicated Chœur division located in the chancel with its own console

  • A unique tuning mechanism that allows maintenance without a key holder

While the organ retains all its original pipework, many ranks have been revoiced or moved between divisions over its lifetime. These modifications tell the story of changing musical tastes and liturgical needs throughout the 20th century.

Ongoing Restoration

As with any century-old instrument, our organ requires dedicated care and maintenance. We regularly host organ recitals as fundraising events to support the ongoing restoration efforts. These concerts not only showcase the magnificent sound of our historic instrument but also help ensure it continues to inspire worship for generations to come.

For those interested in supporting this important work, we offer an "Adopt an Organ Part" program through Music at Saint Anthony’s, an extension of our music ministry. Your contribution can help preserve specific components of this magnificent instrument.

Learn More

For those interested in the technical specifications or detailed history of the organ, additional information can be found at Pipe Organ Specialist.

To learn more about supporting our organ restoration efforts through donations or the "Adopt an Organ Part" program, please visit Music at Saint Anthony's.

I invite you to experience the splendor of this historical treasure by attending one of our Masses or upcoming organ recitals. The majestic sound of this instrument continues to enrich our worship, just as it has for over a century at St. Anthony of Padua.