Music & Culture

Restoration of the Pipe Organ

The St Agnes & St Pancras organ restoration project is fundraising to restore the church’s magnificent and rare Wordsworth & Maskell organ, of 1885, which has been defunct since 1996, with its electronic replacement not only becoming life-expired, but also unsuited to the demands of services and concerts, plus being inappropriate to the size and style of the church.

The 1996 electronic organ was built by Hugh Banton and necessitated removal of the original pipe organ console. However, the fine Victorian organ case and most of the pipework survives in situ which makes a full restoration viable according to an expert survey. During a visit to the church, composer Lord Lloyd Webber, accompanied by his lyricist and former St Agnes chorister Sir Richard Stilgoe, stated he would support any project to restore the original pipe organ. 

The restored organ will have a transformative impact not only for religious purposes, but also to launch a new era of concerts, recitals, youth choirs and organ scholarships. Therefore, the wide community will benefit as much as the church community itself from the restoration of this instrument.

−     We have already secured funding of £283,500

−     The refund of VAT via the Listed Places of Worship Grant            Scheme ceases on 31 March 2026 meaning we have to              raise more to cover the cost of the total refurbishment