About the Organ

Built in 1886, this organ is an historic instrument whose lineage, in many ways, traces the history of San Diego itself. As the first organ in the small frontier town of San Diego, the instrument rounded the legendary Cape Horn on its voyage from Boston, Massachusetts. The organ was first heard on a brisk Easter morning in 1887 at a small Episcopal Church located in what was then called “New Town” (today’s downtown). Since that day, like the city itself, the organ has been augmented and expanded as the needs of the congregation and city grew. In 1915 and again in 1953 additional ranks were added, but the major part of the current organ was built by the Æolian-Skinner Organ Co. during an expansion in the late 1960’s. In the late 1980’s a project was undertaken to work toward completing the instrument, leading to the version of the organ we see and hear in the cathedral today.

On the eve of its 125th anniversary, St. Paul’s Memorial Organ finds itself in need of a complete restoration. Instruments of this type typically need significant replacement of components and restoration work every forty to fifty years. In the case of our organ, some of its components date back more than 100 years, and are currently performing far past their typical lifespan. Although it receives excellent routine maintenance and continues to enhance many worship services, recitals and concerts every week, more than 20% of the instrument is no longer functioning. The time has come for this generation to restore and repair one of San Diego’s musical treasures for generations to come.