The Organs of the Cathedral
A Legacy of Resilient Beauty
For nearly a century, the soaring pipes of Christ Church Cathedral have provided the “heartbeat” of our worship. From the thunderous power of the Great Organ to the intimate tones of the Golding Chapel, our instruments are among the finest in the Southwest.
The Great Organ
Edwin Robinson Spotts Memorial Organ
Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co. (Op. 976, 1938)
The story of our Great Organ is one of rebirth. In March 1938, just two months after the Cathedral signed a contract for a new instrument, a devastating fire destroyed our previous 1907 organ. Rising from the ashes, the current Aeolian-Skinner was dedicated exactly one year later.
Over the decades, this masterpiece has been meticulously enlarged and restored to meet the needs of a world-class music program. Today, it stands as a monumental achievement of American organ building.
- The Specs: 66 stops | 90 ranks | 5,045 pipes
- The Sound: Known for its “American Classic” tonal design, capable of whisper-quiet meditations and floor-shaking fanfares.
- The Additions: Includes the William N. Barnard Memorial Antiphonal Organ (1992), which fills the back of the Nave with a “surround sound” experience.
The Golding Chapel Organ
Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co. (Op. 3013, 1939)
Nestled in the historic Golding Chapel, this “little sister” to the Great Organ provides a warm, intimate accompaniment for weddings, funerals, and daily mid-week services. It was fully refurbished in 2019 with a modern control system, ensuring its voice remains clear for the next century.
Timeline
1938
Contract signed; original organ lost to fire.
1939
Dedication of Op. 976.
1991
Installation of the Antiphonal Organ by Schantz Organ Co.
2012
Major restoration and new console installed by Rosales, Houghten, and Sloane.