What is St. John's Organ Society?

St. John's Organ Society is a not for profit organization committed to the preservation and appreciation of the historic E. & G. G. Hook pipe organ, opus #288.  Located at St. John's Catholic Church, 207 York Street in Bangor, the organ was built by the celebrated Boston organ builders Elias and George G. Hook.  The organ made its way to Bangor by steam ship and was inaugurated on Christmas Eve in 1860.  [Read more about the organ -->]

John Fesperman, Curator Emeritus to the Smithsonian Institution has referred to St. John's Organ as  "......a musical monument of great importance..."  This fully restored and completely functional pipe organ is a rare surviving example of pre-Civil War American organ building.

Since 1992, St. John's Organ Society has sponsored its Summer Concert Series, which feature outstanding musicians from Maine and the New England area.  Through public contributions, St. John's Organ Society seeks to assist funding the continuous routine maintenance and upkeep of this historic and marvelous instrument, insuring many more decades of service to its parish, community, and loyal listeners.

Kevin Birch is the Organ Society's founder and Director, as well as the Director of Music at St. John's Catholic Church.