Bold Faith. Bold City
Capital Campaign: Phase 2A
​Restoration & Repair of Historic Organ

The Historic Pipe Organ is a electro-pneumatic (formerly tracker) Pipe III-30 Hutchins 1908
Cabinet Work by the great Ernest Skinner

The Historic Organ Repair and Restoration Project, with a fundraising goal of $200K, is part of our Bold Faith. Bold City Capital Campaign. This project will realize long needed repairs to the bellows, to the electrical system, the pipes, as well as needed cleaning, and a new Console which will allow for both traditional use and digital sound options.  This work will be completed by the end of 2022.
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We applied for an OCP grant to help with the cost of this project although we were not chosen. We are also planning for various music events as fundraising opportunities, during the coming months and into 2023.  Our first major musical event for the benefit of our project was the 'Pipes of Praise' Concert at the Florida Theatre featuring Irish Tenor Emmet Cahill accompanied by Seamus Brett and with special guests the Bishop Kenny Chorus.  The concert featured a welcome and prayer by the Bishop, introductions by Father Blair and evening of traditional seasonal music, some Irish favorites and liturgical hymns. Prior to the concert we held a special Pre-Concert Reception at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel. This part of the evening included: Meet & Greet with Emmet Cahill, Heavy Hor d'ouerves, Glasses of Champaign for toasting, Premium Concert Seating at Florida Theatre, and parking at the Hyatt for the Reception and Concert.

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Fundraising for this Phase Continues

Thank you for your Generous Donation

Making Beautiful Music ~ Singing our Praises

The Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the document shaping modern Catholic liturgy, has much to say about the music of the Mass, including this: 
 
"In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things" (Article 120). 
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The pipe organ is the only instrument admitted to the Roman rite without question.  Others have to be examined for their suitability “for sacred use.”  This declaration implies that somehow the organ, alone within the western tradition, is a sacred instrument.

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 Church & Organ

Whole Organ
​(close up)

Organ Console

Pipes for Praising

Organ interior

Organ Frames ​Rose Window

Organ Restoration & Repair Takes Shape

Pipes of Praise

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PRE CONCERT RECEPTION

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CONCERT

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A Song for Father Blair

THANK YOU

TO OUR HOSTS & HELPERS

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TO THOSE WHO GAVE THE GIFT OF PROMOTING OUR EVENT

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THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS

You or someone / organization you know may be interested in our Memorial Sponsorships for further our Bold Faith:Bold City Campaign goals. These sponsorships are in the names of important Priests, Sisters & Lay Faithful from throughout the history of the Basilica Parish in Jacksonville - Including Bishop Kenny and Fr. Leon, former pastors; Sr Marie Leocadie (Kate Acosta) and Nancy Hart - just a few of our parish members and leaders in whose debt we are, and afteer whose faith we follow.

Memorial Sponsorships Enrollment

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