The Tower Bells of The Old North (Christ Church), Boston

The bells were restored in 1894, and then were mostly idle. They were restored (again) in 1975 with the help of Bro. Geoffrey Davies, of Simon W. Robinson Lodge in Lexington, for the Boston Bicentennial celebration. They have been run regularly ever since.

The eight bells of Old North (with inscriptions) are:

Bell 1 (Treble) F       5 cwt  2 qrs  4 lbs

Abel Rudhall, of Glocester, cast us all, Anno 1744.

Bell 2          E       5 cwt  2 qrs  6 lbs

Since generosity has opened our mouths, our tongues shall ring aloud its praise. 1744.

Bell 3          D       6 cwt  1 qrs  3 lbs

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 4          C       7 cwt  1 qrs  3 lbs

William Shirley, Esq., Governor of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England. Anno 1744.

Bell 5          B flat  7 cwt  1 qrs 21 lbs

God preserve the Church of England. 1744.

Bell 6          A       8 cwt  1 qrs 24 lbs

We are the first ring of bells cast for the British Empire in North America. A.R. 1744.

Bell 7          G      10 cwt  2 qrs 24 lbs

This Church was founded in the year 1723. Timothy Cutler, DD, the first Rector, A.R. 1744.

Bell 8 (Tenor)  F      13 cwt  3 qrs  5 lbs

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.

Note: One hundredweight (cwt) is 112 lbs. One quarter (qr) is 28 lbs. These are the time-honored measues of the weights of change ringing bells.

Directions:

To get to The Old North Church:
Take the Orange or Green line to the Haymarket stop. Circle around the I93 construction project going somewhat towards the Faneuil Hall area. Walk under I93. This underpass is part of the Freedom Trail, so look for the red strip on the sidewalks and look for the brass plaques in the steet paralleling I93. Walk down Salem Street until Hull Street is found (almost to the end). Hull Street forms the leg of a T with Salem Street. The Old North Church faces squarely down Hull Street. A scenic approach can be taken by starting at the Park Street beginnings of the Freedom Trail and follow the Trail through the Faneuil Hall area into the North End of Boston.

There is usually ringing on Saturday mornings every week from 11am to 1pm, but this is somewhat changeable. Current ringing information can be found on the web or can be obtained by contacting our Ringing Master, Danielle Morse, at (617) 437-1043 x243 or dmorse@mit.edu, or our Steeple Keeper, James Whiting, at (617) 225-6780 or whiting@mit.edu.

Last Modified: 14 June 2000