Organ Project

The project

2010 will see the launch of a project which has been under discussion for several years. A project to re‐install a pipe organ in the church; to finally replace the one destroyed in November 1944, when the church and a large part of Stuttgart was reduced to rubble by allied bombing.

The idea was first mooted over 8 years ago when a parishioner and organ student, Andy Dewar, told people about an organ he knew of in England that needed a new home. At that time it seemed like such a far out dream that few took Andy’s idea seriously ... but dreams grow and to cut a long story short, the facts were gathered, estimates given, architects and organ experts consulted and now, finally, after several years of planning and hoping, the project is finally moving forward. The Old Catholics are seeking approval from the city planners, historical preservation office and building code offices. When this is complete we’ll be ready to go.

Thanks to a donation we have already purchased the organ, but it is still in England, in storage, waiting to be restored. Soon it will be transported to Schwäbisch Hall to the workshop of the organ restoration company who will make it as good as new.

The next step of the project will involve construction: The floor of the church needs to be reinforced so that an organ gallery can be built on the back wall over the narthex and under the rose window. Once that is accomplished, the organ can then be brought here from Schwäbisch Hall and installed in the new organ gallery.

Finally we’ll have a big Inaugural Concert and celebrate its dedication to God’s service.

Fundraising

All this costs money and it is estimated that the costs will be around 21.000 € to purchase the organ, bring it to Germany and to establish an on-going maintenance fund and 54.000€ to restore and install the organ.

Obviously a project of this scope can not be financed out of the day to day budget of a church as small as St. Catherine's so a fund-raising scheme has been put together.

We’ll be appealing to foundations, cultural institutions and various benefactors for support and … we’ll be doing lots of fund‐raisers of various sorts to earn money ourselves.

Details of how to donate can be found here or in our brochure

Events

Details of up coming fund-raising events can be seen on the right. Extra details are also available for the US Organ tour.
Details and photos from past events can be found here.

The Organ

Even those who are familiar with St. Catherine's will probably never have seen it with a pipe organ - our photo tour will show you what we have lost and what we hope to gain!