History of the organ
The original organ at the Church of the Epiphany was a single manual instrument built in 1903 by DW Karn Company at a cost of $1,500. Further work and rebuilding was done (with an upgrade to two manuals) in 1949 by William Potter of the Woodstock Organ Company. The current refurbishment was by Pole and Kingham Organ Builders from Chatham, Ontario.
The organ console and some of the pipes are from a 1960 Holmes organ formerly at Empress United Church in London.
The concept for the ‘new’ organ merges tradition and technology. It retains the best of the previous organ and upgrades it with newer components (console and pipes). Combined with state-of-the-art technology, it is complemented by a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) system, all of which will accommodate different liturgical expressions. It was important to the organ builders, Don Pole and Joel VanderZee, that the integrity and value of the original organ be maintained and further enhanced with vintage pipes so as to be a reliable ‘stand alone’ instrument.
Gallery
Hear the organ
Six Interludes; Composer: Denis Bedard; Organist: Paul Wharram
Media
Windsor Star article from September 20, 2012