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The church tower is home to 8 bells that are swung full-circle in the 300 year-old English church and cathedral tradition. The ringers' Guild currently includes 15 persons, ages 10-75, dedicated to ensuring from 5 to 8 ringers for every Sunday's 9:00 & 11:15 services, as well as for other occasions (weddings, when requested, and various civic celebrations such as July 4th, New Year's Eve, and times of national mourning). The Guild always welcomes those interested, or just curious, to the tower. A special program for young ringers will continue this fall. The ringing instructors are glad to provide a trial lesson (on a one-on-one basis, if desired).
Ringing times are: Sunday Service (tower) Ringing for 20 minutes after the 9:00 service and prior to the 11:15 service.
Regular adult tower-bell practices: Mondays, 7:30-9:30 p.m., and 2nd and 4th Saturdays monthly, 9:30-11:30 a.m. (Ringers attend either, or both.)
Youth tower-bell practice: Wednesdays, 6:45-7:45 during the school year. Please contact Derek Wilsden. by way of the church office.
Hand-bell change ringers: 2nd and 4th Saturdays 11:30 (after tower bell practice), St. James Tower.
Please contact Mary Platt (Tower Captain)
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or Kathryn Tucker (Ringing Master) at 770-423-1489 or by email at
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The ringers also have a blog, where you can see photos and read about the activities of the guild. Check it out at http://nogaringing.blogspot.com
To learn more about Change Ringing and the international communities of bell ringers, visit: »North American Guild of Change Ringers« .
HISTORY OF THE BELLS
Bells have played an important part in the history of St. James' parish since its founding in 1842 and are intermeshed with the history of Marietta, Georgia.
The original church bell was melted down in 1861 for Confederate bullets. After the war, the City of Marietta loaned its fire bell to St. James' with the understanding that it would be used for civic (fire alarm) purposes as well as for religious services. It was returned to the city in 1881.
In 1882 St. James' Church purchased a bell from the Buckeye Foundry in Cincinnati. The Rev. Samuel Benedict had it inscribed to his wife, Julia Benedict; this bell rang out for over 82 years. In 1964 the bell was damaged in the fire that destroyed the church. In 1971 a parish family had the bell recast in Holland, and it is still in use as the Sanctus bell. Known as the Benedict-Schilling bell, it is inscribed, "In loving memory of Frederick Edward Anton Schilling, 1884-1965, given by his wife and son."
The Change Ringing Bells
The change ringing bells of St. James’ Church were cast by Whitechapel Bell Foundry of London in late 1995. The bell metal had been taken from the numbers 1,2, and 5 bells removed from St. Bartholomew’s Church in Rainhill, England, in 1992.
Now as a ring of 8 bells, ranging in weight from 235 lbs to 590 lbs, they were hung in St. James’ existing tower in early 1996 by Eayre and Smith, Ltd., of Derbyshire, England. They were dedicated March 3, 1996, in conjunction with the retirement of the The Rev. Charles Scott May after 22 years as Rector of the parish.
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Dedication of the bells: The Rev. Charles Scott May, The Rev. Jean Ann Eitel, Deacon; The Rev. Camille Sessions Hegg; former Associate Rector; Michael Campion, Verger; and Jan Wilsden, Choir Member.
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Local engineering design for installation of the bells at St. James was provided by Grant Holmberg. Steel fabrication and installation was done by J.M. Wilkerson Company and Cobb Steel Erectors, both based in Marietta. Overseas transportation was donated by SeaLand Corporation; local storage and transportation was donated by Averitt Express.
The bells were funded by memorials and thank offerings. All gifts and dedications are acknowledged on permanent plaques in the Church.
Dunston: 235 libs. Named for St. Dunstan, 10th century Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury. Given by a group of friends and inscribed, “A faithful friend is beyond price.” Ecclus. 6:15.
Bridget: 240 lbs. Named for St. Bridget, 5th century saint from Ireland. Dedicated to the Ministry of Healing and the Arts and to Camille Hegg, former Associate Rector, and Terry Hegg, former organist-choirmaster. It is inscribed, “Break forth into joy, sing together.” Is. 52:9.
Mary: 255 lbs. Named for the mother of Jesus. Given by Jean Gross Santos in memory of her daughter, Mary Blackwood Bird. Inscribed, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord.” Lk. 1:38.
Catherine: 275 lbs. Named for St. Catherine of Siena. Given by Chris and Cathy Brown in thanksgiving for their family. Inscribed, “My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord.” Ps 145:22.
Margaret: 300 lbs. Named for St. Margaret of Scotland. Given by 12 individuals and families. Inscribed, “O sing unto God with the voice of melody.” Ps. 47:1.
Michael: 350 lbs. Named for St. Michael the Archangel. It is an ongoing tribute to loved ones who are not members of St. James’ parish. Inscribed, “Let all the angels of God worship thee.” Heb. 1:6.
James: 430 lbs. Named for St. James the Greater, patron saint of the parish. It is an ongoing tribute to the loved ones who are or were members of the parish. Inscribed, “With one voice together shall they sing.” Is. 52:8.
Scott: 590 lbs. Names for The Rev. Charles Scott May. It was given by parishioners and friends in honor of the ministry of The Rev. Charles Scott May, Rector 1973-1996. Inscribed, “Let us speak the truth in love.” Eph. 4:15.
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Music