Palm Beach, FL

Basilica of St. Edward

This beautiful and renowned church has long served as a place of worship and refuge for presidents and other distinguished visitors while in Palm Beach. Among its notable parishioners were President and Mrs. John F. Kennedy and President and Mrs. George H. W. Bush.

Constructed in 1926, the church celebrated its first Mass on Christmas Day. Designed in the Spanish Renaissance style, the building features twin towers, a Spanish tile roof, and three sets of bronze doors that open into a welcoming vestibule. Flanking the vestibule are chapels dedicated to St. Anthony and St. Thérèse.

The High Altar of the Sacred Heart, crafted from Carrara marble, occupies a niche rising more than forty feet in height. Behind the altar, a mural depicting the Twelve Apostles culminates in a dramatic representation of the Crucifixion. Additional artistic treasures include the church’s hand-painted ceiling, richly detailed frescoes, and stained-glass windows portraying scenes from the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly known as the “Marian Windows.”

Following the church’s construction, a modest organ of unknown origin was installed. In 1938, George Kilgen & Son installed Opus 6045, an instrument that faithfully served the congregation for more than fifty years before undergoing minor modifications.

Under the leadership of Rev. Monsignor Thomas J. Klinzing, R.A. Colby was entrusted with the complete replacement of the organ’s mechanical and electrical systems, complemented by carefully integrated augmentation to enhance its versatility and tonal resources. The original Kilgen pipework and voicing were carefully cleaned and preserved, remaining entirely intact.

In 2023, a second console was added on a movable platform, duplicating the functions of the main console and enabling the organ to be played from either the gallery or the main floor of the sanctuary. This enhancement increased the instrument’s versatility while maintaining its historic character and integrity.