A Historic Treasure:
The St Anne’s Organ Restoration Campaign
St Anne’s Aigburth is home to an internationally significant musical treasure: a 1913 Henry Willis & Sons pipe organ.
It features the world’s only surviving original electric blowing plant system of its kind. Having withstood a Suffragette arson attack in 1914 and accompanied the 1925 wedding of Nobel Prize winner James Chadwick, this magnificent instrument has run on its original parts for over a century.
It is now living on borrowed time.
The St Anne’s Organ Restoration Campaign is raising £232,000 in stages to restore this masterpiece to its full tonal glory.
Moving far beyond traditional worship, the organ plays a key role in Liverpool's heritage as a UNESCO City of Music - headlining popular community concerts, silent film nights, and tea dances.
Furthermore, it anchors an innovative Organ Scholarship in partnership with our neighbour St Margaret's Academy and the Royal College of Organists, nurturing the next generation of musical talent.
Help us preserve this historic instrument and unlock its educational potential for generations to come.
Organ details
Built in 1913 by leading Victorian builders Henry Willis & Sons for £1,660, this historic organ features the world's only surviving original electric blowing plant system, generating remarkably stable wind pressure.
Disaster struck just eight months after installation when a Suffragette arson attack caused severe smoke and water damage. Following major repairs, the instrument was relocated in 1915 to a purpose-built organ chamber.
In 1917, the superbly crafted organ casework was donated by Harold Brocklebank, of the famous Liverpool shipping family, in dear memory of his elder son, Captain Thomas Geoffrey Brocklebank, who fell in action in France during the First World War. Notably, the organ later accompanied the 1925 wedding of Nobel Prize-winning physicist James Chadwick.
Remarkably untouched since 1917, the complex mechanical instrument still runs on its original parts but is now living on borrowed time. Over a century of service has resulted in severe wear and tear, including perished leatherwork and frail pipes.
The St Anne’s Church Organ Restoration Campaign is raising funds in logical, structured stages to reverse this decline. The project will deep-clean the instrument, reinstate the original blowing apparatus, and complete its mechanical specification.
Once fully restored to its 1913 glory, this unique Willis organ will stand as an instrument of national and international importance.
Restoration Campaign Goals
The St Anne’s Church Organ Restoration Campaign aims to raise £232,000 to restore and complete the instrument, preserving it for future generations of the entire community to enjoy, whether these are worshippers of any faith, musicians, concert goers, choirs, and the general public. Once done, it will be an outstanding instrument of national and international importance. Fundraising and work is planned to be undertaken in five specific stages:
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Cleaning, repairing and checking for any tonal defects of the Great Organ.
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Cleaning, repairing and adding the 16’ Contra Faggotto on the Swell organ, meaning the Swell specification is complete.
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Organ mechanics and console refurbishment.
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Addition of the Pedal 16’ Opheclide and chest, completing the Pedal Organ.
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Final restoration of the unique original 1913 electric blowing plant apparatus.
If you would like to donate to the St. Anne's Aigburth Henry Willis Organ Fund, please visit our Just Giving Page.
For further details please contact St Anne’s Church organist Joseph Wakefield: friendsofsaorgan@gmail.com who can help provide information about our concert series and discuss this exciting project.
Specification of organ: NPOR | N08581
