Witnessing the moment the Cathedral rediscovered its voice

May 19th 2025 was an incredibly special day for Bristol Cathedral – and for 200 members of the congregation and community who had gathered together on an otherwise ordinary Monday evening  to witness something quite spectacular.

After a project that began to take shape in 2016, with grand plans to restore the Cathedral’s magnificent organ, finally the true voice of the Cathedral filled every inch of this cavernous and precious building for the first time in several years, during a special ‘unveiling’ of the refurbished organ during a lecture given by Andrew Scott, MD of renowned organ specialist Harrison & Harrison, the firm that has delivered the restoration project.

The story of this magnificent instrument began in 1685, when Renatus Harris crafted its original pipes. In 1907, the organ underwent a significant refurbishment by the Walker firm, enhancing its romantic tonal qualities, but, as with most things, time took its toll and by the turn of the century the organ was once again much in need of restoration.

In 2016, Bristol Cathedral Trust launched an ambitious fundraising campaign and, through the generosity of donors, including a transformative £1.7 million contribution from the Harry Crook Foundation, over £2.2 million was raised to restore the organ to its former glory.

With finance now secured, William McVicker was appointed as the Organ Consultant and the Chapter Clerk, Wendy Mattews, ran a competitive tender in the summer of 2019 between the UK’s three organ specialists – Nicholsons, Harrison & Harrison, and Manders. The incredibly thorough tendering process included visits to view and hear organs including at Kings College London, Chelsea and White Waltham.

After Manders withdrew from the tender process for commercial reasons, the bid from Harrison & Harrison was selected by Chapter to undertake the organ refurbishment work.

Finally, in 2023 the historic project commenced, scaffolding appeared inside the Cathedral, and the organ was painstakingly dismantled and carefully transported to the specialist workshop of Harrison & Harrison in Durham to be meticulously cleaned and repaired. The complex restoration work aimed to preserve the organ’s original brilliance while incorporating modern technologies to enhance its tonal range and flexibility.

By the middle of 2024, progress was well underway, and a party of eight Trustees and supporters of Bristol Cathedral Trust travelled to Durham to visit Harrison & Harrison and witness the Walker organ being refurbished. It was a remarkable visit and the fantastic team from Harrison & Harrison made it quite clear why they were the right choice for this highly specialist project.

Bringing us back to the present day, it was with bated breath that the 200-strong congregation seated in the Nave of Bristol Cathedral waited to hear the unmistakable sound of the organ soar once more through the awe-inspiring high vaulted ceilings of the Cathedral.

Following the captivating lecture delivered by Andrew Scott detailing the intricate voicing process, where each of the 3838 pipes was finely tuned to create the organ’s unique sound, Mark Lee, Director of Music at Bristol Cathedral, played the organ, showcasing its restored capabilities and filling the Cathedral with its majestic tones.

With the organ now boasting an impressive 69 stops, two and a half stops in the Walker style, two pedal stops reinstated, one and a half revoiced stops, and 3838 pipes, the restored organ stands as a testament to the dedication and generosity of all who contributed to its restoration. It ensures that future generations will continue to experience the rich musical heritage of Bristol Cathedral, preserving its legacy for years to come.

BBC Radio Bristol’s Steve Yabsley visited the Cathedral to learn about the restoration of the organ. You can listen to his report here.