Casavant
Opus 1470, 1932

Following a decree issued by Rome, St. Philomena is scratched from all liturgical calendars. It is because the Church has never officially declared the sanctity of Philomena. Paul-Émile Cardinal Léger, archbishop of Montreal, signed, on May 7th, 1964, a decree changing the parish and church name into St. Esprit (Holy Spirit). The church is the only Art Deco church on Montreal. When Fr Pierre Rivard arrived as parish priest, the organ worked only 10% of its capacity. Experts from the Religious Musical Heritage Committee, after examination of the instrument, suggested he get rid of the instrument. Meanwhile, Réjane Desautels, who used to be the organist in the St. Brigitte parish which had just closed, became organist at St. Esprit. She offered the priest her help to restore the organ while investing an important sum of her own. A fund-raising campaign was set in motion and works took place from 2010 till 2016 with Gilles Chouinard, organ restorer. Works also allowed the installation of an electronic combinator. The restored organ was blessed by Archbishop Christian Lépine, of Montreal, on October 30th, 2016. A short recital was given by Réjane Desautels.

Identified through information in Casavant documents, courtesy of Simon Couture and Denis Blaine.