RING OUT LOUD
Work underway in Charlottetown to set St. Dunstan’s Basilica bells in place
The majestic bells of St. Dunstan’s Basilica that date back to 1928 will soon be once again set in place.
The 18 bells arrived in Charlottetown last week after being refurbished, tuned and rewired for playing by the Paccard Foundry American headquarters in South Carolina.
Work is underway on putting the supports in place for the bells to once again reside in the north tower with a comprehensive new bell frame and bell mount.
If all goes smoothly, the work should be completed by the end of the month.
Committee chairman Kevin Murphy says the project, which has been years in the works, should come in at about $425,000.
Close to $60,000 still needs to be raised.
“We just have to keep pushing until we get the dollars raised,’’ said Murphy.
He said the people behind the project — an ambitious venture that faced its share of hurdles — are thrilled seeing the initiative come to fruition.
He believes the bells will provide a special touch to a capital city that is already a very unique, historic place.
“It’s more of an atmosphere and a feeling,’’ he explained.
“It will enhance what we already have.’’
The bells will ring out their distinctive sound to announce the time of day, as well as to mark weddings, funerals and other significant events.
The historic set of 18 bells was installed into the north tower in 1928, ringing out of the steeples of St. Dunstan’s Basilica that is now a national historic site.
The bells have been silent for 40 years, decommissioned in the 1980s when birds and moisture caused structural issues.
The bells won’t swing when they are placed back inside the north tower.
They will ring using electronics.