Bell Ringers Guild
Old North’s Bell Ringing Tradition & Guild
Old North Church houses the oldest set of change ringing bells in North America. These eight change ringing bells were cast by Abell Rudhall in Gloucester, England in 1744 and installed here in 1745. The bells were restored in 1894, and then were mostly idle. They were restored (again) in 1975 with the help of Geoffrey Davies, of Simon W. Robinson Lodge in Lexington, for the Boston Bicentennial celebration. They have been rung regularly ever since.
A Charter Passed Through the Ages
Old North Church houses the oldest set of change ringing bells in North America. These eight change ringing bells were cast by Abell Rudhall in Gloucester, England in 1744 and installed here in 1745. The bells were restored in 1894 and then were mostly idle. They were restored (again) in 1975 with the help of Geoffrey Davies, of Simon W. Robinson Lodge in Lexington, for the Boston Bicentennial celebration. They have been rung regularly ever since.
The Eight Bells of Old North Church
Bell One
Sound: (Treble) F, Weight: 5 cwt, 2 qr, 4 lbs
Inscription: Abel Rudhall of Gloucester, cast us all, Anno 1744.
Bell Two
Sound: (Treble) E, Weight: 5 cwt, 2 qr, 6 lbs
Inscription: Since generosity has opened our mouths, our tongues shall ring aloud its praise. 1744.
Bell Three
Sound: (Treble) D, Weight: 6 cwt, 1 qr, 3 lbs
Inscription: The subscription for these bells was begun by John Hannmock and Robert Temple, Church Wardens, Anno 1743; completed by Robert Jenkins and John Gould, church Wardens, Anno 1744.
Bell Four
Sound: (Treble) C, Weight: 7 cwt, 1 qr, 3 lbs
Inscription: William Shirley, Esq., Governor of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England. Anno 1744.
Bell Five
Sound: (Treble) B flat, Weight: 7 cwt, 1 qr, 21 lbs
Inscription: God preserve the Church of England. 1744.
Bell Six
Sound: (Treble) A, Weight: 8 cwt, 1 qr, 24 lbs
Inscription: We are the first ring of bells cast for the British Empire in North America. A.R. 1744.
Bell Seven
Sound: (Treble) G, Weight:10 cwt, 2 qr, 24 lbs
Inscription: This Church was founded in the year 1723. Timothy Cutler, DD, the first Rector, A.R. 1744
Bell Eight
Sound: (Tenor) F, Weight: 13 cwt, 3 qr, 5 lbs
Inscription: This peal of eight bells is the gift of a number of generous persons to Christ Church, in Boston, N.E. Anno 1744. A.R