Pipe Organs at St. John Cantius
Sanctuary Continuo Organ
Located between the Sanctuary and the South Side Altar of Our Lady of Częstochowa, the Sanctuary organ is one of the last instruments built by the German firm of Oberlinger. The organ was blessed by the Most Reverend Basil Meeking, Bishop Emeritus of Christchurch, New Zealand, during Bach Night, an all-Bach concert of chamber and vocal music, on May 14, 2005.
This instrument is primarily used for the 7:30 AM weekday Ordinary Form of the Mass (English) (the conventual Mass of the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius), Solemn Vespers and Benediction on Sundays and major feast days, and also smaller funerals.
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Upper West Choir Loft Organ
The Upper West Choir Loft organ is the largest organ at St. John Cantius Parish, and serves as the primary organ for Sunday and major feast day Masses. Built by the St. Louis, Missouri firm of Kilgen in 1907, the instrument fell into disrepair in the 1970’s and ‘80’s, and received renovation and additions in the 1990’s by Daniel Bogue Associates.
Several ranks of pipes, used mainly for upper work, from the organ at Alvernia High School, Chicago were incorporated into the current instrument, as well as a renovated, refurbished console.
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Lower West Choir Loft Organ
The unit organ in the Lower West Balcony was purchased in December 2006 and installed the following month as part of the renovation of the Lower West Balcony (in memory of Henry and Eugenia Juracic). Originally assembled by local builder John Hoverland for his residence, it was blessed by the Most Reverend Thomas J. Paprocki, Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, on Sunday, February 11, 2007 following the organ’s first liturgical use in the Messe Solennelle, Op. 16 by Louis Vierne at the 11:00 Ordinary Form of the Mass (Latin). This organ is mainly used for accompanying purposes, especially for orchestral Masses, and adds considerable flexibility to the Lower West Balcony, the largest musical performance space in St. John Cantius Church.
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North Side Balcony Organ
This one-manual mechanical-action organ is dated 1860 from an anonymous builder in Holland, and currently awaits funding for restoration.