The Parish Organ
Pipe Organ Remanufacturing
A remanufacturing project with Parsons Pipe Organ Builders of Canandaigua, New York.
The organ is being disassembled and taken to the builder’s workshop, fully remanufactured there, and returned to St. John’s for installation, tonal finishing and tuning. The mechanical tracker action is replaced with an electric-slider key action; new pipework is fabricated, and the existing vintage pipes are revoiced.
When the work is complete the instrument will have three manuals and pedal, 31 voices, 37 stops and approximately 2,000 pipes, under a ten-year warranty.
Project Timeline
All dates are tentative.
May 20, 2026
Contract Signed
Agreement executed — the project officially begins
St. John’s Church signs the remanufacturing agreement with Parsons Pipe Organ Builders of Canandaigua, New York. The organ will be disassembled, transported to the builder’s workshop, fully remanufactured, and returned for installation, tonal finishing, and tuning.
July 13 – 19, 2026
Phase 1 · Removal
Parsons arrives; the organ is removed and transported to Canandaigua
On July 13 the initial inspection meeting takes place; organ removal begins July 14. Representatives from the church and the organ company jointly inspect, inventory, and photograph all components before removal. The organ is then transported to the Parsons workshop in Canandaigua, NY.
Late July – Oct 2026
Phase 2 · Arrival & Marking
Organ received, inspected, and marked for ownership
The builder confirms that no damage occurred during transport. The organ is organized in the factory in preparation for remanufacturing, tentatively scheduled to begin in October 2026.
Oct 2026 – Aug 31, 2027
Phases 3–5 · Remanufacturing
Design, fabrication, and construction at the Parsons workshop
The builder prepares the production schedule and 3D CAD drawings. The windchest and wind-system assembly are designed, and construction of the console and action mechanism begins. The mechanical tracker action is replaced with an electric-slider key action. New pipework is ordered and fabricated; existing vintage pipes are revoiced, and all pipework is scaled to Parsons’ highest standards.
By Sept 30, 2027
Phase 6 · Assembly & Testing
Full organ assembled at the builder’s workshop
The organ is fully assembled at the Parsons workshop. Preliminary voicing, tuning, and testing are completed (reed pipes excepted). Church representatives inspect and approve the instrument before it is disassembled for the return to St. John’s.
By Oct 29, 2027
Phase 7 · Return Shipment
Organ shipped back to Hampton, Virginia
The organ is transported back to St. John’s Church.
By Dec 15, 2027
Phase 8 · Installation & Tuning
Installation, tonal finishing, and tuning at St. John’s Church
Installation is completed within 45 days of the organ’s return. The church provides uninterrupted access and the silence required for tonal finishing, twelve hours a day. Weekend services are held in alternate locations for up to 10 days; Christmas services will not be disrupted. Upon completion, church representatives play and inspect the finished organ.
By Jan 15, 2028
Period of Inspection
30-day period of inspection
Church and other professional musicians perform on the organ, assessing its quality. At the end of the 30-day inspection period, final project acceptance is certified by the church and final payment is made.
10 years from acceptance
Warranty Period
Project acceptance — organ fully operational with a 10-year warranty
Parsons’ 10-year warranty takes effect: all defects are corrected at no cost during the first 18 months, parts-only cost thereafter. The organ must be tuned annually by Parsons-approved personnel. The remanufactured organ — three manuals, pedal, 31 voices, 37 stops, and approximately 2,000 pipes — is fully operational.
Questions About the Organ?
The parish office can put you in touch with the Director of Music or the organ committee.