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Post by ncaam on May 25, 2017 12:17:37 GMT -5
Father K was an historian. The bell we lost was a historic bell. The one being sold by a reputable reseller, Todd Lower, is also a historic bell of one year difference in vintage. I recently called Paul Morin of the Archdiocese of Boston. I asked him what they did with the bells that come down from churches that were closed. He said they send them off to Vermont have them refurbished and returned to other churches that are being built. I did not but should have asked him if Holy Cross could get on a list for such a refurbished bell in the future. Of course I told him I did not represent Holy Cross, I only represented myself. Without further details he told me that casting new bells is very very expensive since they are in limited demand. If Holy Cross baseball plays in western North Carolina or Tennessee or something like that, when I go to the ncaa game I will try to fit in a trip to Lower Bells. Todd Lower is asking $10,000 for a 36 vice 28-inch bell. Of course a difficulty is getting it from Tennessee to Worcester, ensuring that the bigger bell fits on our structure and whatever other admin costs are associated therewith. It's not a small undertaking but I'm willing to do some of the legwork because Father K deserves it. Some punky iron bell or worse yet an electronic sounder? Fegggedddabouttt it, i'm not interested. If Lower came down in price to $5k i would buy it myself and truck it to worcester. i appreciate the additional financial help, not writing it off, but it complicates the decision. fwiw
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on May 25, 2017 13:30:54 GMT -5
HC70, not wanting to be a Debbie Downer, but IIRC the original thread on the old board, the bell was removed from the tower because the structural support for the bell in the tower would no longer support a ringing bell, and/or it became unsafe for anyone to climb to the tower and ring the bell. Thus it was moved to a place from which subsequently it was readily stolen.
If my recollection is correct, that would make a 'new' bell a two part exercise: 1.) ascertaining what,needs to be done to the tower so that it supports a ringing bell in the future; 2.) assuming the answer to #1 is not a million dollar reconstruction, then locating and purchasing a suitable replacement bell.
Doing a bit of research earlier, it seems there presently is only one American foundry casting new bronze bells. I assume its prices are competitive with foundries in Europe, when transportation charges are factored in.
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Post by rgs318 on May 25, 2017 15:03:38 GMT -5
CHC8485 mentioned in an earlier post that part of our effort would also be to raise money for the spire. This is doable, but do the powers that be want it done?
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Post by CHC8485 on May 25, 2017 15:49:59 GMT -5
And not to totally side track ncaam's admirable efforts but ...
2018 marks the 175 Anniversary of the founding of the College. Seems like an appropriate time to raise a bell (new or used) back into the O'Kane tower but, other than the light behind the clock, it's an awfully dark hill as you pass Holy Cross on 290 after sundown.
So while they are reinforcing the tower to support the bell, they should add some exterior lighting to the O'Kane tower and the spires of Fenwick to symbolically let the light of the College shine forth from the hill at night.
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Post by ncaam on May 25, 2017 16:24:08 GMT -5
1854 is when we moved into rebuilt fenwick, no?
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Post by ncaam on May 28, 2017 10:46:16 GMT -5
a reply I got on bell search We do not have a Hooper bell at this time but you may be interested in our 27” Meneely. churchspecialtiesllc.com/pre-owned-church-bells-for-sale/ We are Asking $7,000.00 for it as is. It is a beautiful bell with a decorative top nut. The steel base is very sturdy and in great shape. We can make any changes you might want including a wheel or an automatic bell ringer.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Oct 10, 2017 17:39:29 GMT -5
The most recent issue of the Holy Cross magazine has an article on the bell, Fr. K., and mentions the interest of several alumni in finding the bell. No mention that these alumni are Crossportsers.
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Post by ncaam on Oct 11, 2017 3:26:55 GMT -5
I read the article. I think I know the alums involved in the search. TPTB portrayal of the ¨scouring¨ search is greatly exaggerated I believe. The alums showed more interest than the school. We don´t need a ¨new¨ bell. There are some old ones including an 1854, a somewhat larger one cast by Hooper, that a dealer in Tennessee has offered at $10k. He seems firm on his price. Some digital bell would be awful. Another Hooper would be nice in the same spot as the stolen one with better security. For example the campus police chief could be told it the bell goes missing, you go missing. No Jesuit college should be without a bell. Personally I have a Grover Cleveland standing by.
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