Awhile back, I wrote a post about the problems of the Aeolian-Skinner organ at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, and a few people have asked me about the progress of the restoration project. See “A friend in need” for more information. Well, here’s a way that you can help.

This Sunday at 5:30 pm, a Choral Evensong will be sung in memory of Lowell Bradford Barnhart at St. Andrew’s Cathedral. John Renke will direct the Cathedral Choir in C. V. Stanford’s Evening Service in G, Walford Davies’ Blessed are the pure in heart, and Gardiner’s Evening Hymn. The service will not be a funeral nor even a celebration of his life, but will be the fulfillment of Lowell’s one and only wish: To aid in the preservation and restoration of the magnificent Aeolian-Skinner organ in the Cathedral.

For those who didn’t know him, Barnhart, who spent nearly all of his professional life as a designer in Hawai‘i, was the Cathedral’s verger. In this role, he not only led the processions of clergy and choir for all the Cathedral’s services for eighteen years, but also took on the responsibility of scheduling, teaching, liturgy planning and liturgy participation, making Sundays an 8-hour workday. At his retirement in 1996, he was bestowed with the title of Cathedral Verger Emeritus.

Despite a long journey with prostate cancer, “caring physicians in Honolulu, Seattle, and Victoria made it possible for him to lead, as much as possible, his normal life as a gregarious, generous, and committed lover of people, music, lighting, and family.” Lowell was the one who contributed his talents and leadership for the Cathedral’s lighting, leading to the first comprehensive illumination of the Cathedral Close and updating of all interior lighting, most particularly in the Cathedral. Read more about Lowell’s remarkable life here: “The Life of a Gracious Man.”

The service is open to the public and parking is free. Donations will be directed to the Organ Restoration Fund.