As you may know, several years ago we had a problem with stones falling off the sides of the church and rectory. After much study and planning, we undertook a major capital fund drive, added a new lobby with bathrooms, and replaced and repaired a great deal of stone. It was both a necessary and successful project.
However, one of the unintended victims of the project was our parish “bells.” We don’t actually have any physical bells that we ring, but we did have loud speakers and electronic bells that we played at various times and for various occasions, like weddings.
But when the “bell tower” was redone, and the new copper metal paneling was installed on the tower, we lost the opening through which the bells were broadcast. It has taken us a long time to figure out how to bring the bells back. We had to buy new speakers, which you can see from the alley on the top of the church chimney. Once we had the new speakers, we then had to figure out how to affix them. It took a long time to get the brackets for the speakers designed, manufactured and installed. Not many companies do this type of work and it is a long process.
Then we had to get the speakers connected to the control box that actually “plays” the bells. Getting the correct wire, and getting it run from the bells to the control unit in the sacristy, again took a long time.
However, patience and persistence, with some money, has finally made it happen, and I am happy to announce that as of Easter Sunday, we will have the bells of St. Austin ringing out again. YAY!
Our bells are Sonata Electric Carillon bells manufactured by the Verdin Company of Cincinnati, OH, a world-renowned, sixgeneration family manufacturer, pioneer, and innovator of cast bronze bells, electronic carillons, clocks, towers, and organs. The electronic bells were the gift of generous parishioners on their 30th anniversary in May of 2013.
We will test the bells over the next few weeks, and initiate their regular use with Easter Sunday. The bells will ring a few minutes before each of our scheduled Masses. I hope they will toll for funerals, ring for weddings, and play the Angelus daily. It has been a long, long wait to get the bells back, and I am looking forward to hearing them again. I hope you are too.