Faith, bells and living tolls
When was the last time you heard church bells ring? They have a distinct sound. In villages around the world, it’s common for tolls to chime every hour, sometimes with 15 or 30 minute increments. In Europe, this practice began around the year 1200. Before then, time was measured by shifts in daylight and season and moon phase. Jesus didn’t wear a watch.
Once clocks were installed in churches, bells were added to ring out. Time became measurable. Culture has never been the same as clock time, chronological time, or time as duration joined a shift from feudalism to capitalism. It wasn’t long until time became monetized. You’ve heard the expression, “Time is money!” Church bells are at the root of this development.
Years ago in Sandpoint, First Presbyterian Church had an electronic format, called a carillon. As metal plates spun like a record, electronic tones resembled actual bell sound and projected through speakers installed on the roof. In addition, there was a hard wire strung between the church building, which is located downtown on North Fourth Avenue, and Memorial Park in south Sandpoint. The carillon bells rang out in both locations simultaneously. It’s been gone for decades, but there are some folks around who remember it.
Many churches and monasteries still ring actual bells, either on timers or by pulling on ropes. Some people consider this an annoying form of noise pollution, of the church imposing itself on the larger society. To others, it is soothing, like a call to prayer, a steady reminder of God’s presence throughout the day and night.
Bells themselves come in various sizes. Large, heavy bells have a deep, low tone while small, lighter bells ring higher pitches. These different “voices” are rung in a variety of sequences, like peels, tolls, or random strikes, even actual songs. Some of the electronic carillons have entire hymns programed in and can be scheduled years in advance to mark special holidays or events.
There’s one aspect of bells ringing for all to hear that I find especially important. In the forging and shaping of a bell, text is etched into the metal, often from scripture. A simple tone comes to represent an entire, biblical prayer set to music. On a regular schedule all day and night, communities offer “prayer without ceasing.”
Songs echo through town and country, and by extension, we’re reminded that we carry song in our heart that reflects divine love through our lives. Through Christ, we become living tolls ringing God’s praises and join all nature in manifold witness to goodness, peace, and love that unites our hearts as one. Ring on!
Pastor Andy Kennaly is pastor at First Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Fourth Ave., Sandpoint. He can be reached at fpcsandpoint.org or by phone at 208-263-2047.