The iconic Fratelli Ruffatti pipe organ at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale has been fully restored to “as new” condition by the Ruffatti factory team.
The church was founded in 1960 and grew quickly. The present 2,300 seat church was dedicated by Dr. Billy Graham in February of 1974. The Ruffatti organ was made famous during the church’s long lasting TV program The Coral Ridge Hour led by Dr. D. James Kennedy. The program peaked with a weekly audience of about 3.5 million viewers on about 400 stations. It was also featured numerous times on The Joy of Music program with Diane Bish. This makes the CRPC Ruffatti organ one of the most visible and notable organs in the world (along with the Fratelli Ruffatti organ at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, CA — now Christ Cathedral).
The organ features 5-manuals and 117-ranks of pipes. Special thanks to Dr. John Wilson, Director of Music and his lovely wife Lisa for their leadership during this project.
Pictured from left to right: Andrew Nichols – CRPC Exec Dir., Michela Ruffatti, Dr. John Wilson – Music Dir., Timothy Newby – Central Music President.
