The Grand Organ
The Victorian Wesleyan chapel of St Catherine’s opened in 1888. A new two manual
organ built by Messrs Foster and Andrews of Hull especially for St Catherine’s,
was officially opened in November 1890. The instrument was located towards the front
of the church to the left hand side of the altar. The organ was kindly provided
for the chapel by Mr George Bainbridge, a keen Methodist and well known citizen
of Lincoln.
St Catherine’s Chapel ceased to operate as a place of worship in 1977. The organ
was subsequently removed and now has a new home in a church at St Anne’s Lancashire,
where it is still played to this day.
Around the time when developments were afoot to restore St Catherine’s Chapel as
part of the Priory Trust complex, a unique and nationally important organ needed
a new home. This historic organ was built in 1855 and is one of the most important
transitional organs in existence today.
The organ was brought to Lincoln with the intention of it becoming the nave organ
for Lincoln Cathedral. The Organist and Master of Music at Lincoln Cathedral, decided
against the idea as he did not wish to compromise the 1898 Willis organ. In liaison
with the Priory Trust, it was decided that the most suitable venue for the organ
would be the fully restored chapel building which will be known as St Katherine’s
– 900 years of history.
The organ will be known as the Lincoln Grand Organ. It will be fully restored and
has been adopted by Lincoln City Council.
