Press Release of the Carillon Bells

Contact:

The Reverend Jim Miller, Pastor,
First Presbyterian Church, 918-584-4701, ext. 250
JMiller@firstchurchtulsa.org

Elaine Horkey, Coordinator
918-298-2543 (cell: 918-406-1062)
anneelaine@earthlink.net

First Presbyterian Church to Add 32 Carillon Bells to Bell Tower

In 1991, Ron Pearson, Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church, began to research an extensive bell project. Unfortunately, due to lack of donor gifts, the idea was shelved. 16 years later, two generous family gifts have been given to the church, which have allowed First Presbyterian Church to be the first church in Tulsa to have a complete carillon (23 or more bells).

Beginning the week of October 28, 32 bells (with the largest weighing 3,200 pounds) will be lifted by crane and placed in First Church’s bell tower. The bells are made of cast bronze (copper/tin alloy) and are cup-shaped. Four of the bells can be made to swing, producing a harmonic peal that can be heard up to a mile away.

Before the bells are hung in the tower, First Church will have a viewing opportunity for the Tulsa community on Sunday, October 26 by creating a “bell garden” on the church premises. This will give the public a chance to view the beauty and extraordinary size of the bells, as well as see the 4 inscriptions that have been placed on the larger bells. Once hung, these bells will remain in the tower for hundreds of years.

The bells were cast at the celebrated Paccard-Fonderie de Cloches in Annecy, France. The carillon can be programmed automatically from an electric console to be played at any desired time, or can be played live by a musician. The Westminster Quarters will be heard every 15 minutes.

The bells are a tool for reaching out to the community, to uplift and inspire, and to deliver a message through music. They are placed in church towers to mark events in people’s lives that are turning points, which relate to their common underlying faith. These bells will proclaim our Christian faith in God's providence--they are meant to carry such a proclamation beyond the limits of the church property to the ears of all--whether they attend First Church or not.

Additional information:
First Presbyterian Church is located in downtown Tulsa at 8th and Boston. Born by grace in 1885, First Church exists to introduce Jesus Christ as a way of life that many may come to “taste and see that the Lord is good.”

First Presbyterian Church
709 South Boston Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74119

918.584.4701
www.firstchurchtulsa.org