Photos by Stacie Joy
Restoration work has commenced on the bell and clock tower at Most Holy Redeemer/Nativity Parish on Third Street between Avenue A and Avenue B.
The four clocks on the tower that reaches 232 feet have been in a state of disrepair for the past two-plus decades.
Below is a letter to the community about the project from Father Seán Connolly:
I am happy to announce to you the beginning of the restoration project of our church's bell and clock tower!This historic and beautiful tower reaches into the sky far beyond most structures of the East Village at 232 feet, but as you are aware, has been in a state of disrepair for over two decades. The clock dial no longer works and the wood of its four faces is deteriorating making it an eyesore for our local community. Of the five bells only a single striker on one provides a lone toll at the noon hour.In consultation with our parish finance council, we have accepted a bid from Elderhorst Bells, Inc. to restore our bell and clock tower. The dial will work again and there will be four restored faces that will be lit at night, even in different colors depending upon liturgical feasts or civic holidays. There will also be five working bells that will beautifully chime and an electronic carillon system that will play a seasonal hymn at certain hours.
The church is also accepting donations "to help alleviate the burden this restoration will have on our parish budget." You can find a link here.
Construction of the current church was completed in October 1851 (EV Grieve was the first media outlet to report on this in 1851!)
And more history:
A major overhaul of the church began in 1912. Many of the renovations are still evident. With a tower that today reaches into the sky far beyond most of the structures of the East Village at 232 feet, it is hard to believe that it once was even taller. The 250-foot tower was reinforced and lowered to its current height and capped with a new copper dome and gold cross.
And a view of the church dated 1875...
Oh forgive me Lord, but I am jealous of that private tour of the bell tower, and
ReplyDeleteI’m really looking forward to the follow-up on that!
@ 8:07 I second that! Thanks Stacie for the report and look forward to more pictures!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of the brethren of this church for maintaing this property.
ReplyDeleteGreat news! Love the bells. As a Buddhist I can still appreciate the meaning of the bells. More about them here, an ancient custom that originated to call monks to prayer that we can all adapt to our respective beliefs, even if it is just to take a few calming breaths. https://aleteia.org/2018/11/07/what-to-do-when-you-hear-church-bells-ringing/
ReplyDeleteFr Sean and those parishioners are awesome
ReplyDeleteMakes me nostalgic for the sound of the MetLife Tower on 23rd's bells, they stopped ringing them in the mid 2000s I think. Maybe if I pay $1000 to stay a night in the fancy hotel that's there now I could sneak upstairs to ring them one more time.
ReplyDeleteWill look forward to hearing these!
Great news!! I love the sound of bells. Any time. Any circumstance.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post and the history that EV Grieve has uncovered. The Church of the Holy Redeemer is an East Village treasure with a wonderful history. Very happy about the restoration of the clock, the bells and the recent new copper dome. Not to keen, though, on the electronic carillon system that will play seasonal hymns.
ReplyDeleteHi Grieve, it sounds like they're testing bells on it today, living on 4th street for 31 years and hearing sounds that are new to me. Cool!
ReplyDelete