The organ was designed and built by the London firm of J. W. Walker and Sons. The order was placed in February 1962, and soon afterwards, work commenced in the Ruislip Works of the organ builders. The installation of the organ began in November 1966 when the first parts were delivered to Liverpool. The instrument was completed in time for the Consecration and Solemn opening of the Cathedral on Whit Sunday, 14th May 1967.
Comprising of five manual divisions and a pedal organ, the organ is playable from a four manual console which is situated in the choir, some sixty feet away from the pipework. The console is permanently situated in the choir and is electric, except for the swell box controls which are direct mechanical linkages, despite an overall distance of 140ft between pedal and box. A remarkable engineering feat!
The Cathedral has no chancel or West end in the usual sense, but is circular in plan, and the position of the organ posed a number of problems both in siting and acoustics.
The organ is now situated on a platform above the entrance to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, directly opposite the main porch. Earlier intentions were to place the organ in two concrete chambers, either side of a central choir gallery above the Blessed Sacrament Chapel.
The wind is supplied by two blowers. The main blower, driven by a five horse-power motor, feeds the second which is driven by a three quarter horse-power motor, which increases the pressure for the larger scale reeds.
