The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, located next to VCU, has long been a Richmond landmark.

Inside the church stands a landmark of its own. A new organ is the result of eight years of planning and 40,000 hours of labor by some of the world's most skilled artisans. And its opening concert will feature a world-renowned musician.

In 2016, the Cathedral Foundation’s pipe organ committee began to research restoration of a disorderly dilapidation of wood and pipes that was once the main gallery organ of the church.

“We brought in some outside organ restoration people thinking someone could fix it,” says Carey Bliley, co-chair of the Cathedral Foundation’s pipe organ campaign committee, “But all three of these restoration people said there's nothing to fix; you’re going to have to replace it.”

The committee began a worldwide search that ultimately led to three new organs, with a continuo organ and pipe organ, smaller instruments, joining the gallery organ. A fundraising campaign sought $3.2 million for the project.

It was decided that the small team of Juget-Sinclair Organbuilders in Montreal, Canada would be trusted with building all three organs. With the two smaller organs being completed before the gallery organ, the church was never without an organ during the process of building the largest organ.

“It’s a large instrument for a team of our size, it’s 40,000 man hours; two years of work for our team of 13,” says Robin Côté, president of Juget-Sinclair. “It’s a slow process and a long process.”

The artisans of Juget-Sinclair are some of the most skilled in the world, with their organs in dozens of churches around the globe. Côté explained that the entire instrument was made by hand, with only the use of some woodworking machines.

“Being an organ builder is a way of life,” he said, “It is really rewarding when we make an instrument that is really central to the community.”

The gallery organ was completely built and voiced in the Juget-Sinclair shop. It was then deconstructed, shipped to the Cathedral, and rebuilt and voiced in the church. Now, with its finishing touches complete, the gallery organ is available for all to experience.

“This space is one of the best acoustical environments; it has resonance,” says Daniel Sáñez, the cathedral’s Director of Music and Principal Organist. “It's a unique opportunity for people to experience the organ like you would in Europe. There's nothing comparable to it in the area.”

The experience of listening to such a dynamic instrument proves to be just as multidimensional as its creation. It is the sound of over 4,000 pipes, 15 tons of steel, and pure wind that creates a unique atmosphere, perfectly suited for the cathedral. Sáñez utilizes the gallery organ to expertly weave a soundtrack into the range of emotions one can experience at the cathedral.

“The purpose of this instrument by design is to evoke a whole range of human experiences, from joy, sorrow, to even anger and being scared,” said Sáñez.

Côté said an instrument as robust as this gallery organ can be compared to an orchestra. Yet its intricacy can be harnessed by a single musician. Utilizing each foot, hand, and finger, an organist can provide an entire orchestral backdrop for events within the cathedral.

“Before Mass begins, I play,” said Sáñez, “I see my job as creating an environment where people have the space to meditate, to reflect…to facilitate their prayer, before the service starts.”

To showcase such an instrument, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart has a series of dedicatory organ concerts that will be played by world renowned organists.

The series begins with Oliver Latry, the Titular Organist of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, France and perhaps the world's most famous organist.

He will play both a matinée and an evening concert at the cathedral on October 30. His evening show has already sold out, while the matinée still has free tickets available.

Bliley said the organ is accessible to call, whether at a mass or concert, and can create transformational experiences.

The committee asked a simple question, Bliley said, before commissioning the organ: “What could be put here to be a real blessing for generations?”