Christ Church, College Square North, Belfast

This Church of Ireland church closed for worship in 1993. The organ by that stage was virtually derelict and the floor of its chamber had sunk about 18 inches in one corner. A fire in the church, several nearby terrorist explosions together with 100 years since any major rebuilding work all attributed to the poor condition of the organ. Over a period of several months in 1994-5, the organ was voluntarily dismantled by Alistair McCartney with help from Philip Prosser and David Drinkell. Concern was raised over some vandalism and a small fire in the church. This led to a wholesale effort under the direction of Philip Prosser to dismantle the remainder of the instrument and remove it all to store. About 2 months later the church was completely gutted by fire leaving only a shell. In December 1998, after the storage arrangements had expired, the Pipe Organ Preservation Co. took over the organ and removed it to a new store on its premises.

Queen's University Belfast was at this time planning the refurbishment of the Great Hall in the Lanyon Building under the direction of the architect Dawson Stelfox. The hall had previously held an organ by William Andrews of Bradford dating from 1903 which was moved and rebuilt in the new Whitla Hall in 1949. During the work, it was intended to install the gallery intended in Lanyon's plans in the 1840s but never executed and it was at this point Professor Bruce Campbell made enquiries as to the whereabouts of the organ from Christ Church. Lanyon himself attended Christ Church and the connection was very appropriate. Various opinions and advice were sought and the university agreed to purchase the organ and move it to a store in 2000. The hall refurbishment was completed in spring 2001 and the restoration of the organ to its original 1857 two manual specification was completed by William Drake in 2005.