The organ, whose first phase has now been installed in the Parish Church of Għajnsielem, is a reconstruction of the instrument originally built in 1896 by Henry Willis & Sons, one of the most renowned organ-building firms in the world. The company is celebrated for producing some of the finest pipe organs ever constructed, including those in St Paul’s Cathedral, King’s College Chapel, Lincoln Cathedral, Salisbury Cathedral, Truro Cathedral, and Liverpool Cathedral, home to the largest cathedral organ in England.

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This organ is distinguished by its unique pipework, both in the way the pipes are constructed and in the glorious sound they produce. It was originally built for the conservatory of St Paul’s School in Hammersmith. At one time, one of the music teachers at this conservatory was Gustav Holst, the renowned English composer.

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In 1969, when the music school of St Paul’s in Hammersmith closed and the building was demolished, the organ was relocated to the Anglican Church of St John the Baptist in Fortuneswell. In 2013, that church announced its intention to sell the organ due to structural alterations being carried out on the building. Once this became known, our parish was informed of the opportunity through those overseeing the project and decided to acquire the instrument.

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From this historic instrument, a new organ is being built in phases with a different design and a modern operating system, incorporating the pipes and materials of the original organ together with newly constructed components. All the organ will be installed on both sides above the sacristies, with an additional section at the rear of the church. It will occupy an area of approximately 85 square metres and rise to the height of a three-storey building.

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The entire organ will be played from a mobile four-manual console, which can be moved behind the altar for greater flexibility of use. It will also be equipped with an automatic playing system. In addition, a smaller console has been built for educational purposes and for use by beginners. Both consoles have been newly designed to reflect the architecture and decorative motifs found throughout the church.

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The installation of this first section of the organ has been made possible following the completion of major construction works in a part of the church that had remained unfinished. This building project included work on massive stone structures, roofing, the construction of a steel bridge passing above the organ pipes to connect various rooms, the installation of windows designed in continuity with the existing church windows, as well as plastering, electrical works, and other related services.

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Following this phase, the second stage of the project will commence. This will involve completing the construction works on the opposite side of the church and continuing the restoration and rebuilding of the remaining sections of the organ. It will also include the construction of two decorative organ cases designed to house the façade pipes and conceal the organ’s internal mechanisms.

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As mentioned above, part of the project also involved the construction of a bridge passing above a section of the organ. This feature was specifically designed to allow visitors to admire the various components that make up the instrument and to provide a unique educational opportunity to see the inner workings of an organ. Many people do not realise that the visible façade represents only a very small part of the instrument itself. An attraction of this kind is among the most unique to be found in Europe.