A New Organ for St. Mary's

Supporting sacred music, worship, and parish life for generations to come.
Donate

“In the Latin Church the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendor to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things.” 

– Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

A Lasting Gift for Future Generations

Why We Need a New Organ

For more than 25 years, our Allen electronic organ has faithfully served the worship of St. Mary’s Parish. However, it has now reached the end of its expected lifespan.
Between June 2025 and June 2026 alone, the instrument required nine service visits after mechanical failures disrupted multiple liturgies. Electronic organs typically last 25–30 years, and ours has reached the point where continued repairs are becoming increasingly costly and unreliable.
Rather than continue investing in an aging instrument, we have the opportunity to make a lasting investment in the future of sacred music at St. Mary’s.

A Rare Opportunity

The Church teaches that the pipe organ holds a place of honor in Catholic worship.
This year, that vision became possible for St. Mary’s.
When St. Pius X Church in Rodgers Forge (Baltimore) closed, its beautiful Austin pipe organ, built in 1985, became available. The instrument features 19 ranks of pipes over two manuals and pedal and was carefully removed by Steiner-Murphy in July 2026. It is currently being stored in Cumberland, Maryland while preparations are made for its new home.

Designed Specifically for St. Mary’s

This is much more than simply moving an organ from one church to another.
The instrument will be thoughtfully redesigned to complement the architecture and acoustics of St. Mary’s.  Quite the undertaking, this involves the help of architechts, structural engineers, an organ builder, and other contracted groups.
  • The organ will be installed in two main pipe cases, one on each side of the choir loft.
  • One case will contain the Great and Pedal divisions, while the other will house the Swell division, enclosed behind movable swell shades that allow the organist to shape the instrument’s dynamic expression.
  • The center case—originally built for our current organ—will finally be used as intended, containing additional unenclosed Great and Pedal pipes that will provide a strong, clear foundation for congregational singing.
  • Additional ranks of pipes will also be added so the instrument is ideally suited to the needs of our parish. 
  • A new, lower-profile console will improve communication between the organist, choir, and clergy during the liturgy.
Installation is expected to be completed by the Feast of Christ the King in 2027.
Hear the Organ!

These videos show St. Mary’s Director of Sacred Music, Breton Abbondanzio, demonstrating the beautiful sound of the instrument that will be assembled at St. Mary’s.  He is seen here playing the organ at its previous home, St. Pius X in Baltimore, MD.

A Wise Investment

A brand-new pipe organ of comparable size would cost well over $1 million.
Even replacing our current instrument with a new electronic organ suitable for our church would cost approximately $300,000.
Thanks to this extraordinary opportunity, we will be able to acquire, restore, expand, and install this Austin pipe organ for approximately $350,000.
This is not simply a replacement—it is an investment in the future of our parish.
Unlike electronic organs, which eventually must be replaced entirely, pipe organs are designed to be maintained and rebuilt over generations. With proper care, this instrument should serve St. Mary’s reliably for 50–60 years before requiring a major overhaul. After restoration, it can continue serving for another 50–60 years, making it an instrument that can enrich worship for more than a century.

Supporting Our Parish’s Worship

A beautiful pipe organ does more than provide music—it strengthens congregational singing, enriches every liturgy, supports our choir, and helps attract gifted musicians who will continue building a vibrant music ministry for generations to come.
Every gift to this project is an investment in the worship life of St. Mary’s, ensuring that future parishioners will continue to experience the beauty and dignity of sacred music.
Help Build a Legacy
Your generosity will help provide an instrument that will inspire prayer, support beautiful liturgy, and serve countless parishioners for decades to come.
Every gift, large or small, brings us one step closer to giving St. Mary’s a pipe organ that will sing the praises of God for generations.