Though common on the Continent, it is rare in Britain to find a church with two large organs. Furthermore, Great St Mary's is unique in that the historic `Father' Smith Organ at the West End of the church belongs to the University of Cambridge, whereas the Organ is in the Chancel is owned by the church.
The University Organ was installed in the church in 1696 and this instrument was used by both Parish and University for nearly two hundred years. By 1869 the organ had fallen into a very bad state of repair, and the Parish had to resort to the use of a harmonium for accompanying the services. Steps were taken by the Parish to install an organ in the Chancel for Parish services, the University being unwilling to bear the whole cost of restoring the West End organ. However, the following year the University employed the great Victorian organ builder, William Hill, to rebuild and enlarge the organ, but by that time the first Parish Organ had been installed. It is through this quirk of history that Great St Mary's to this day contains two instruments.
The two organs now each have a page of their own:
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