Peter Power's photo essay on the OLPH's restored pipe organ
After 74 years serving the parishioners of Moore Park's Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic church, the largest music-making machine in the diocese was torn apart over a four-week period, cleaned, refurbished and reassembled to house a new digital organ. Integrated with the original pipes and sound system, the new keys will combine with old technologies to bring music to a parish that is undergoing a phase of renewal.
Fifty-five zinc organ pipes, whose golden finish has faded in the last thirty years, reach high into the ceiling of Our Lady of Perpetual Help RC Church in Toronto moments before work crews began their removal to be refurbished with new paint and stenciling in time for the Christmas season. Hidden behind these visible pipes are the remainder of the 2,500 pipes that comprise the complete set.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
A woman prays during the noon hour while workers begin to remove the organ pipes during work to restore them and replace the organ with a modern computer controlled organ.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
The shadow of Ed Decruyenaere is cast against the church ceiling during work to restore the organ pipes.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
The keyboards of the old organ are removed from the church as work continued on the restoration of the organ pipes and installation of a new organ.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Ed Decruyenaere carries a large organ pipe out of the church.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Carlos Nunes, left, and Grant Donovan walk an organ pipe out of the church.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Caros Nunes contemplates the next stage of work, with a drawing of the paint scheme.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Carlos Nunes applies the first coat of paint to the cross stencil as work continues on the renovation of the pipes.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Christina Abreu painting the pipes.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Carlos Nunes, left, and Jason Donovan rotate the largest pipe into the proper orientation before it is lifted into position.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Brad Davison looks on intently as his crewmates on the upper levels complete the lift of a large pipe into position.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
From the main aisle of the church a glove, filthy from years of dust from other pipes, belonging to Ed Decruyenaere receives the bottom end of a large organ pipe.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Murray Grills is dirty but content after a long first day of work to remove and restore the organ pipes.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
The work crew works to complete the re-installation of the newly painted organ pipes.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
The organ pulls will be kept by the church while work continues to restore the organ pipes.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Murray Grills reaches for a newly painted pipe as the careful work of lifting them all back into position is done with care.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail
Ed Decruyenaere and Murray Grills, inside, put the final pipe into place.Peter Power/The Globe and Mail