Houses of Worship

The History of the Unseen Church Bell

by Matthew Goulet
(Published with Permission of OHR)

February 22, 2010

            If you ever drive or walk by the Church of Our Holy Redeemer, you may have noticed the large bell tower sticking out to the right hand side of the church.

            Many have speculated as to what actually goes on inside that tower.  Many have also wondered as to what the actual bell at the top of the tower looks like, if there even is a bell at the top.  Before, these answers could not be found in any church records or in any archived information.  So, for the first time in our church's history, we have the answers to your questions.

            First off, I would like to state that, yes there is a bell at the top of the tower.

            It was originally casted out of iron by the Meneely Bell Company of Troy, NY in 1915.  The bell, which weights over 1,500 pounds, was originally too heavy to carry up the newly made tower.  Instead, it was pulled up through a series of trap doors stationed on each floor of the tower by a series of pulleys.  It was then maneuvered to the center of the tower, where it still sits today.  Funding for the bell was paid for by donors who were close to the church, and their support is thanked on the west end of the bell.

            Once the bell was placed at the top of the tower, few things have changed.  Yet, the changes made have allowed for the bell to stand out among others in the community.

            When the bell first chimed for the small village of Freeport back in 1915, it was operated by pulling a rope, which started in a small closet in the Old Chapel and went all the way to the top of the tower, where it wrapped around a large, metal pulley connected to the bell.  This would then case the bell to tilt on an axis and the bell clapper within the bell would then strike the side of the bell, causing a loud ring to shoot out from the tower.

            Though the original pulley and hammer still remain on the bell today, the practice of having someone act as a bell-ringer was seen as outdated, and was then replaced by an electronic hammer, which was set to strike the bell at a specific time.  Those times are 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m., which signify the timing of the Angelus Prayer.  The bell may also be rung during funeral masses and for significant civil occasions.

            The bell tower has remained untouched and hardly renovated since the bell was first raised to the top of the tower, but the tower itself has seen its share of decorations and improvements.

            In December 1999, the bell tower had its inaugural illumination for, not only the Christmas Celebration, but for the upcoming millennium jubilee.  An anonymous benefactor provided the donation to install lights at the top of the tower, which still lights up every night for the entire village to see.

            To this day, the bell tower stands as a staple to, not only the church, but also the Village of Freeport.  The ringing of its bell also continues to enlighten the community and will continue to do so for years to come.