The sounds of one of Bridlington’s oldest musical treasures are set to ring out for generations to come after St John’s Burlington Methodist Church secured the funding needed for a major restoration of its historic pipe organ.

The church, located on St John Street in Bridlington’s Old Town, launched its Pipe Organ Restoration Appeal in June 2023. Following two years of fundraising through grants, donations, and community events, the church has now raised the £53,000 needed to carry out the extensive restoration project this summer.

Work on the 133-year-old instrument will begin in July and continue through August. Specialist firm Aistrup & Hind Ltd of Lincoln has been appointed to undertake the overhaul.

The restoration will involve dismantling sections of the organ and removing parts from the chamber for repair and refurbishment in the company’s workshops. Once restored, the instrument will be reassembled in its original position inside the Grade II listed church.

Church leaders say the work is essential to preserve a rare and historically significant instrument that has served generations of worshippers and musicians since Victorian times.

Originally installed in 1893, the organ was built by renowned Hull organ builders Forster & Andrews at a cost of £431.15s. It was commissioned to commemorate the centenary of Methodist founder John Wesley’s death and was officially opened on June 16, 1893, when the church was known as Bridlington Wesleyan Chapel.

Today, the organ is listed on the National Pipe Organ Register and remains largely unaltered, something experts say is increasingly rare for instruments of its age.

Forster & Andrews, regarded as one of the great northern organ-building firms, constructed more than 1,300 organs between 1843 and 1956 for churches, cathedrals, Methodist halls, and civic buildings across the UK and overseas. Their work included prestigious installations at the City Temple in London, Hull City Hall, and Holy Trinity Church in Hull.

Despite the organ’s remarkable longevity, church officials say some of its original components are now becoming brittle and vulnerable to failure after more than a century of continuous use.

David Wilcockson, speaking on behalf of the church, said the restoration had become a major priority for the congregation and wider community. He explained that the church has a regular congregation of around 40 people on Sunday mornings. During the week, the premises are open every day for community groups, coffee mornings, and the Warm Space Project.

He added that the church plays a central role in Old Town life, hosting concerts, festivals, Heritage Open Days, and local community events throughout the year.

St John’s Burlington is now the only remaining Methodist church in Bridlington and continues to support a wide range of local initiatives, including luncheon clubs, children’s groups, drama and music activities, and Rainbows and Brownies meetings.

British pipe organs face what has been described as a “cultural catastrophe,” with extinction projected by 2070, as nine instruments are lost or silenced every week. Church closures, high maintenance costs, and a lack of organists are driving this trend.

Mr Wilcockson noted that there were around 40,000 organs in 1915, but only about 15,000 remain today, and only half of those are in working order.

Research suggests that without action, pipe organs may survive only in select cathedrals, colleges, and well-funded concert halls by 2070. However, many of these instruments can be saved with relatively small amounts of expert care and are often being discarded prematurely. St John’s Burlington Church Council remains committed to preserving both its Grade II listed building and its historic organ.

Church leaders believe the restoration will not only preserve an important historic instrument but also create new opportunities for concerts, recitals, and musical events.

“The instrument is eminently worthy of restoration,” Mr Wilcockson said. “Once restored, the organ will sound fresher and livelier and will be fit for purpose for its second century of life.”

The church has thanked everyone who contributed to the successful appeal, saying community support was vital in securing the future of one of Bridlington’s historic musical landmarks.