The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and St Gregory on Warwick Street in the heart of London is in the midst of a difficult fundraising campaign for the restoration of its esteemed pipe organ.
The situation is “challenging”, according to those at the church, which currently is commemorating its 300th anniversary.
Originally installed in 1790 by G.P. England, the organ last underwent a significant reconstruction by Mander & Co in 1960. The problem today, notes those behind the organ restoration project, is that the current fundraising landscape presents challenges for Catholic churches.
So far the church’s efforts in seeking funding through grant applications to organisations that have supported similar restoration efforts in the past have not yielded any results. Furthermore, many grant-giving institutions prioritise issues that can diverge from the concerns of a parish church.
Grantors often favour initiatives addressing contemporary topics, such as environmental sustainability and diversity. While such issues are often commendable, actually aligning with such priorities can prove complicated for a church focused on attempting to restore a pipe organ, notes Richard Rivas, a member of the Warwick Street Church Finance Committee.
“In a recent grant application interview, the reviewer probed our efforts in addressing social class inequalities and was keen to see the facilities available for our weekly soup kitchen—a commendable initiative already in place [and working],” Rivas says. “However, there appeared to be fewer questions regarding the repairs needed to restore the organ, which was the main purpose for the grant application.”
He adds: “Despite our best efforts, we were unsuccessful in securing funding for this particular application. We asked for feedback to help us refine our approach for future applications but were told there was ‘nothing materially wrong’ with our application.”
The continuing difficulties ultimately prompt the question, he says, of whether such restoration efforts are worth the time and expense needed to bring it all to fruition. The estimated cost of the project ranges between £200,000 and £250,000.
Despite these challenges, though, “there are glimmers of hope,” Rivas says.
The church has already successfully raised £35,000 towards the project. At the same time, there remain several compelling factors that bolster the case for pursuing the initiative, Rivas says.
Warwick Street Church, which has been crucial in maintaining a Catholic presence in London since its establishment as an embassy chapel, including enduring the Gordon Riots of 1780, now serves as the main church for the Personal Ordinariate of our Lady of Walsingham.
“With its historical significance, the church stands as an appropriate venue to honour the rich heritage of the Church through liturgy and music,” Rivas says. “The decision to restore the pipe organ is not rooted in nostalgia but driven by a commitment to preserving a meaningful connection—offering a way to rediscover and reconnect with elements that have historically engaged people with their faith.”
When it comes to trying to maintain a hopeful momentum for the project, Rivas notes that the Gospel reading during the Epiphany at the start of the year offers words of affirmation appropriate to Warwick Street’s situation: “The wise men departed to their country by another way” (Matt 2:12).
As such, Rivas say, there could be value in alternative approaches to seeking funding, with the current lack of success in finding a grant potentially overcome by pursuing “another way”. The challenge remains, though, he says, in “discovering this alternative route to fund such a significant undertaking”.
Photo: Screenshot of Warwick Street’s organ taken from www.warwickstreet.org.uk.
Warwick Street has launched an appeal seeking donations to a Music Fund to pay for the organ restoration project. Those interested in making a contribution can learn more here.
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