St Joseph Basilica

Vince Anderson

St Joseph’s Basilica is the seat and spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton. Worship has occurred at this site since 1925, when a substantial and roomy basement was constructed, with plans to complete the upper cathedral at a future time. 

A major depression and World War ensued, causing completion of the Cathedral building to be delayed until 1963. 

The main nave of the Basilica is over half a city block long, with a worship space capable of holding almost a thousand congregants. With a very high vaulted ceiling and stone construction, the space is an acoustic and logistical challenge for organists, especially when accompanying choirs and congregational hymnody. Partly to address these challenges, the Archdiocese has recently undergone a multi-year initiative to install a second organ at the front of the sanctuary.

Specifications

Gallery Organ
Casavant Frères, Opus 2540, 1962 Electro-pneumatic action.

The primary organ console and cases are located high above the floor level of the sanctuary, at the far rear (east) end of the sanctuary, above the Narthex with 43 stairs leading to the organ and choir loft. The staircase itself is a work of architectural wonder, with huge stained glass windows flanking two sides of the staircase. 

The console was originally installed with the organist’s back to the nave. It has since been placed on a semi-portable platform so the organist sits transverse to the nave and can easily view all elements of the service. The pipes in the Positiv and Swell cases are beautifully open and exposed, and the organist (and livestream camera operator!) are subjected to the full power of the instrument. 

From the Basilica’s website:

“The Casavant Pipe Organ was one of the first furnishings to be ordered for the upper Cathedral. The contract for it was signed in Edmonton by Msgr. Joseph Malone on December 6, 1961. Hugh Bancroft, who was then the organist at All Saints Cathedral in Edmonton, where Casavant had installed an organ in 1959, served as consultant on the project. He worked closely with Casavant’s Tonal Director, Lawrence I. Phelps, on establishing the organ’s specifications.

The organ was completely assembled, tested and tuned in Quebec. It was then taken apart and shipped to Edmonton where it was reassembled, tuned and voiced by Robert Blanchard and his son from Winnipeg. The installation and rough tuning of the organ was complete by the beginning of March 1963.

The organ underwent extensive repairs in 1980, having received smoke and water damage in the Basilica fire.

The organ is dedicated to the memory of all from the Archdiocese of Edmonton who gave up their lives in both World Wars. It was a joint fundraising project between the parish and archdiocese which is recognized on a bronze plaque in the Narthex of the Basilica.

The organ was installed in two cases. The organ has 4 keyboards (three manuals and pedals), 40 stops, controlling 58 ranks of pipes, consisting of 3,154 pipes made of metal or wood. The tallest pipe is approximately 18 feet in length, while the shortest one is smaller than a pencil. Air for the organ is supplied by a blower which is located 60 feet below the choir loft.

The Basilica organ is a versatile instrument, capable of accompanying the singing of soloists, choirs, and congregations; as well as being a fine solo instrument. It has been heard in numerous recitals, some of which have been broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

The cost for the organ in 1963 was $50,000. Today, its replacement value is well over $1,000,000. (Editor’s note: updated for 2026, including necessary building modifications, this figure would easily exceed $3 million today)

On the north side of the console of the organ, there is a plaque commemorating the service and dedication of John Wetherill, who was organist at the Basilica for 38 years, from 1969 to 2008. John was not only a fine organist, but also helped maintain and tune the organ. He was also responsible for having guard rails installed, which have been appreciated by anyone who has ever done any tuning.”

Chancel Organ
Casavant Frères, Opus 3705, 1991 Electro-pneumatic action.

To address the difficulties associated with accompanying a choir from the gallery, and to enhance the overall beauty and effectiveness of sound control, a second fully self-contained organ has been installed in the chancel of the sanctuary. The console sits next to the choir pews, transverse to the nave.

The organ was installed in 2024, after being relocated from its original home in Zion-Wexford United Church in Scarborough, Ontario. Built in 1990, the organ consists of an electro-pneumatic Pitman console connected to three separate oak cases, located at the very end of the chancel.

By happy coincidence, the cases fit exactly into the three stone arches, needing only millimeters of wood shaved off the corners. All pipes are fully exposed, and a custom wooden ornamental screen has been commissioned to block the cases from access, an essential consideration since the pipes need to be somewhat protected.

By accompanying the choir or Scola in direct proximity to the console, the organist can effectively pace the music and relate more immediately to the choir director.

Antiphonal Organ

To address the difficulties associated with accompanying a choir from the gallery, and to enhance the overall beauty and effectiveness of sound control, a second fully self-contained organ has been installed in the chancel of the sanctuary. The console sits next to the choir pews, transverse to the nave.

The organ was installed in 2024, after being relocated from its original home in Zion-Wexford United Church in Scarborough, Ontario. Built in 1990, the organ consists of an electro-pneumatic Pitman console connected to three separate oak cases, located at the very end of the chancel.

By happy coincidence, the cases fit exactly into the three stone arches, needing only millimeters of wood shaved off the corners. All pipes are fully exposed, and a custom wooden ornamental screen has been commissioned to block the cases from access, an essential consideration since the pipes need to be somewhat protected.

By accompanying the choir or Scola in direct proximity to the console, the organist can effectively pace the music and relate more immediately to the choir director.

Is there an organ in Edmonton you would like to know more about? Let us know by contacting us by email at: rcco@rcco.edmonton.ab.ca.