1906 - Bells of St. Paul's

 

“When a chime of bells to complete the equipment of St. Paul’s Church was first talked of three years ago, a set of four bells composing the Westminster chimes only was contemplated.”

Hamilton Times.  September 09, 1906.

While only four bells were at first considered, the leaders of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church felt that more would be suitable for the beautiful church on James Street South in downtown Hamilton:

“It was felt that this handsome steeple, on which are 55 finials, and the only stone spire in Ontario, situate ‘downtown’ in this growing city, was worthy of a full set of eleven bells, as they would minister Angelus to the largest number of business citizens, and will be heard over a radius of one mile¹

¹“St. Paul’s Chimes : A Full Set of Eleven Bells for That Fine Steeple”

Hamilton Times.  September 09, 1906.

After extensive research a suitable manufacturer was chosen, and the casting of the bells was begun:

“They are not too heavy for tower, nor too light to be squeaky. The aggregate weight is under five tons, with the largest tenor bell weighing over a ton, mounted on steel ball bearings around the journals so that it can be rung alone when desired. The smallest or children’s bell weighs 300 pounds.

“Citizens must feel gratified to those liberal members now in St. Paul’s, as well as the church societies who have undertaken to place these bells there, costing $4,000. The striking apparatus and preparing the tower will approach about half that sum will surely be provided by the merchants and manufacturers.

“Word has been received that the bells are cast and are being tuned this week.”¹

There were some delays and the targeted date for the arrival of the bells in Hamilton was not met. However by the beginning of November 1906, the bells had arrived in Hamilton and were put on display on the grounds of the church.

On November 3, 1906, the Hamilton Times carried the following article about St. Paul’s Church and the bells:

 “Fifty or sixty years ago, many stately residences like Undermount, Arkledun, Highfield, Inglewood and Ballinahinch, were built in Hamilton by the merchants of the day. These fine structures are still admired for their architectural beauty and substantial worth in this solidly built city. About this time, some of the commercial leaders, assisted by skilled craftsmen , built St. Paul’s, which, at that time, was called St. Andrew’s. A much plainer building would have suited many a one but these public-spirited men thought of a day when Hamilton would be a great city, and built a stately and massive edifice. Every lover of Gothic architecture admires St. Paul’s, its pointed arches, suggesting the meeting of the boughs of the forest; its many floriated pendants and finials suggesting the opening and opened flower beds; its numerous quatrefoils symbolizing the fan spread petals of a blossom; its half-hidden trefoils fashioned after the clover leaf, all unite in making it a poem in stone.

“It is one of the finer church edifices in Ontario, and its people have prided themselves upon its preservation. The entrance with rich doors and decorated Gothic arches and marble floor further adds to its more recent enrichment. The graceful stone spire nearly 200 feet high, still the only one in this Province, attracts many an eye. The placing of a full musical chime of eleven balls in the very choice and suitable habitation of St. Paul’s belfry completes the cast of the church.

“Such chimes delight travelers in many cities in Britain, and on the continent. And will no doubt be appreciated and valued by the citizens of Hamilton generally, when their music appeals to the better nature and higher levels of every passerby. There are eleven bells, with striking apparatus set for the hours on the largest bell.

“How better can the business and church center of Hamilton be enriched? They will not only add to the artistic wealth, but the sweet music of hymns like ‘Rock of Ages’ and ‘Lead, Kindly Light’ will awaken on each Sabbath morn in many a heart memories that will be a benediction.

“Travelers from the T.H. & B. station; rich and poor, passing to and from the center of the city; perplexed hearts, going to and from the Court House and markets, will hear the church chimes and for a time be mindful of life’s nobler aims. The familiar and sweet music sounding out from the steeple into the midnight air, like the angels’ song over the plains of Bethlehem, will appeal to the strangers within our gates, and clear the weary wanderer through our streets in lonely hours, and lift many a careworn heart into communion with the Crucified. Then too these chimes will swell the minds of glad hearts on great national days, and will announce to the city events of joy and sorrow in the Empire. They will sometimes toll the departure of beloved sovereigns, Canadian leaders and prominent citizens.

“The bells arrived yesterday, and the work of taking them to the church was begun. The manufacturer states that after the tone testing, the experts pronounced them to be the finest chime that ever left the factory.”²

The bells were formally dedicated on Sunday November 11, 1906. On the following Monday and Tuesday evenings, the bells were played, attracting crowds of people who gathered on the streets around the church to hear the new sounds which would be part of Hamilton’s ambience from that time forward.