Organs and organists of Chichester Cathedral

Several well-known composers, including Thomas Weelkes and John Reading, have served as cathedral organist.

The earliest organs in the cathedral were destroyed by the forces of Colonel Waller during the period of the Commonwealth.

Further additions were made in the 19th century by George Pike England (1806) Henry Pilcher & Sons (1829) before, in 1859, the great Victorian organ builder William Hill was employed to move the organ from the screen to its present position.

It is usually housed in the Lady chapel, and accompanies services held in that part of the cathedral.

In 1947, the Hurdis family gave the organ to the Prebendal School who, in turn deposited it on loan to the cathedral.

It is currently housed in the retrochoir, where it is regularly used to accompany services at the Shrine of St. Richard.

It is one of the earliest digital electronic organs in this country and continues to play an important part in the provision for musical events in the cathedral.