MONROE, CT — Bells at St. Peter’s Episcopal and Monroe Congregational churches rang out every night around the Monroe Green last March, providing a sense of community to residents following stay-at-home orders in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
First Selectman Ken Kellogg, who had asked the churches to ring their bells at 8 p.m. after hearing input from residents and committee members, remembers hearing about people joining in by ringing bells at their own homes.
“It seems so long ago,” Kellogg said. “It was still kind of cold out and dark and we all shared concern at the time. Anxieties were a little bit higher not knowing where this disease would go. I think it was something that provided connectedness and hope for the community.”
But the bell at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church recently stopped ringing. The Rev. Kurt Huber, rector of the church, said the start of a crack was discovered in its bell during an inspection of rotting wood in the belfry.
The church’s first bell was presented by Lucy Beardsley in 1812. It was re-cast in 1845 and replaced in 1875, according to church records. The 1875 bell was made by Meneely & Co. of Troy, New York, which closed in 1952.
“It first rang from our belfry on Sunday, Oct. 24, 1875, when the Rev. James Coley was rector,” Huber said. “It helped us mark time for many events.”
Huber said the bell was rung at a 9/11 memorial event, was rung 26 times for each victim of the Sandy Hook school shootings and was likely rung to celebrate the end of World War II. In addition to significant national and global events, the bell is rung for church services, funerals and weddings.
It weights approximately 1,300 pounds, according to Huber.
Weather damage over time
Years of rain, wind, ice and snow have taken a toll on the belfry within the steeple. The church hired a company to assess the rotting wood, when the damage to the bell was discovered.
“The original cast iron yoke is cracked, the top plate is cracked. The wood wheel is in poor condition and the wood base that the bell rests on is deteriorating,” Huber said. “The clapper assembly is loose, and most often this indicates that the bell is loose in the yoke.”
The reverend said the bell restoration will include a new structural steel yoke, “A” stands and wheel, as well as a new clapper and headpiece assembly. All new steel will be galvanized and powder coated and there will be a new wood base structure.
“This includes the use of a crane for removal and reinstallation,” Huber said.
In fact, he said two cranes will be needed, because the bell is so heavy.
Church Specialties, the Vermont company hired to do the work, estimates removal, transportation, restoration of the bell and reinstallation will cost $40,000.
St. Peter’s established the Bell Restoration Fund. Those wishing to donate can send a check to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church with “bell restoration” in the memo and mail it to 175 Old Tannery Road, Monroe, CT 06468. To make a donation online click here. To donate through PayPal click here.
Was surprised when I read that you had left St. Peter’s but it sounds like it is a wonderful move to a church on a reservation in South Dakota. Please keep me in your email loop.
I live in PA now at White Horse Village a senior independent village which is near where Karen lives in Villa Nova. (If you ever need a place to stay when you are in the Pa. area I have an extra bedroom and a hide a bed and you are more than welcome to stay)
I’m going to cc my son and daughter-in-law a copy of this as she is a Methodist minister in New Jersey and they are very active in mission trips.