Restoring the Bells

February 20, 2023

 

I met my friend Nathan, the rector at the historic St. Peter's Church in Salem, Massachusetts, for a tour and to photograph the bells. One of the bells is believed to be the oldest church bell in the United States. In the bell tower, there are 11 bells. All but one have an inscription tying them to a foundry in Troy, New York, "Clinton H. Meneely Bell Company" dating those bells to 1880 or later. The one that is unique has a different inscription. In a band circling the top of the bell, it reads, "SNT PETERS IN SALEM NEW ENGLAND A*R 1740."

 

The "A*R" is a reference to "Anne Rex" or "Queen Anne of England." However, in 1740, she would have been dead for 26 years.

 

Reverend Ives is leading an effort to restore the bells, the mechanisms and the along with the bell tower itself and other parts of the church.

 

Salem, Massachusetts

Essex County - USA

 

Photo by brucetopher

© Bruce Christopher 2023

All Rights Reserved

 

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