Our Historic Pipe Organ

One of the jewels of St. Paul's Anglican Church is our historic pipe organ. Originally installed in 1906, this instrument is the oldest surviving Casavant Frères organ in British Columbia.

Casavant Frères is one of Canada's premier organ builders, adding to the historical and musical significance of this remarkable instrument.

A Brief History

According to Pipe Organs of British Columbia by Christopher Dalton:

"Opus 264 is the oldest extant Casavant built for the church and installed in the province many years ago with a 'water' powered motor. In 1952, Andrew Chapman changed the action from tubular to electro-pneumatic and installed a new Casavant two-manual drawstop console. Over time, some of the pipe ranks were re-arranged and several added, but in the 1990s, Huestis re-configured the organ to its original layout. In 2001, under the supervision of Casavant representative Steven Miller, the chests were shipped to the factory in Quebec for cleaning, sealing, and general updating."

The Instrument Today

Throughout its history, the organ has undergone significant improvements and repairs, including major work in 1952 and 2001. The electrical system was also modernized within the last decade.

A Musical Legacy

The exceptional quality of our organ has attracted numerous connoisseurs, musicians, and organists over the years.

Many well-known Vancouver musicians have performed on this magnificent instrument and contributed to the rich musical heritage of St. Paul's Anglican Church.

We invite you to visit us to experience the majestic sound of our historic pipe organ and appreciate its historical and musical significance.