Christ Church Cathedral is the seat of the Diocese of British Columbia of the Anglican Church of Canada. This diocese comprises not the political province of BC, but only Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
This is the third Christ Church. The first was the Hudson Bay Company's Victoria District Church of 1856, consecrated by Bishop George Hills when he arrived from England in 1860. This burned in 1869 and was replaced with a larger wooden structure in 1872. Plans for the present stone and concrete structure were begun in 1891, and construction began in 1926.
In October 1997, Christ Church Cathedral launched a fund-raising campaign for a music endowment fund in support of its music programme:
"Christ Church Cathedral is well known as a centre for the arts and culture and is a natural focus for the spiritual and intellectual life of the City of Victoria. Within the splendid gothic stone walls of this architectural masterpiece are found a wide variety of artistic expressions - stained glass windows, the peal of bells, musical performance, arts and floral arrangements. The Cathedral is a natural gathering place for the whole community. Much of its outreach is a direct result of its music program."
- from promotional material of the Music Endowment Fund Campaign Management Committee (1997)
Works to be supported by this fund include music education, the choir library, scholarships and bursaries, but its first goal was to replace the much-rebuilt gallery organ, some parts of which dated back to 1872. Note the total lack of casework in the photo.
"The instrument has served well and survived rebuilding, augmentation, enlargement and adaptation at least three times. Time and compromise have taken their toll. Many parts no longer function with any reliability. The instrument is quickly approaching the end of its life. It could fail at any time and this presents a serious liability to the Cathedral music ministry."
- from promotional material of the Music Endowment Fund Campaign Management Committee (1997)
The Cathedral canvassed the organ builders of the world to determine who might be interested, suitable and capable to provide the new organ. Proposals were solicited from four builders. In October 1999, Hellmuth Wolff & Associés Ltée., of Laval, Quebec was selected to be the builder of the new organ. Said firm was engaged to provide a mechanical action instrument of four manuals. Compton International was engaged to guide the fundraising. At August 1, 2003 the grand total of pledges was $2,412,275.67, enough to cover the costs of the new organ and consequent site preparation.
Site preparation began on January 26, 2004 and installation began on June 1, 2004. On October 9, 2005, Wolff's opus 47 was dedicated during a Festal Evensong.
The Music Endowment Fund Campaign Office can be contacted at: