On Tuesday, September 19, 2006 Old South Church in Boston will hoist a newly built Bell Wheel into the Tower and
affix it to the 2020 pound Meneely Bell allowing the Bell to be tolled by swinging (see article below) for the first time in
many years. The new Bell Wheel will be hoisted up from outside the Tower (using a hinged beam, ropes and blocks)
from the fourth floor roof. The “hoisting team” will gather at 8:30 a.m. on September 19th.

The 2020 pound Tower Bell is rung every Sunday at 10:45 to call the faithful to church and announce to the city that we
are gathering within to turn our hearts to God. Absent its original bell wheel (which rotted away from exposure to the
weather) is rung by a secondary tolling hammer. The new Bell Wheel will permit the Tower Bell to be rung in full swing
(causing the rope to rise 20 feet).

The Bell Wheel is currently on display in the Old South sanctuary (see photo below) and will remain there until, Monday,
September 18 when it will be taken apart and wrapped in anticipation of its journey up into the Tower. The Bell Wheel is
a work of art, hand-crafted by Old South Church Moderator, Jeff Makholm. Dr. Makholm has dedicated the New Bell
Wheel to the memory of the Rev. Peter Southwell-Sander, late husband of our senior minister, Nancy Taylor.

The Bell Wheel will be dedicated on Sunday, September 24 during the 11 a.m. service. The service will include music
from the Back Bay Ringers, a sermon focused on the history and practice of bell ringing in churches, a hymn written for
the occasion, and a litany of dedication. During the final hymn (weather permitting) the congregation will process outside
to hear the Bell rung on its Bell Wheel for the first time in the hearing of those present. Doing the honors will be Old
South Trustee, Dr. David Vogan, who rings the bell each Sunday.

September 24 is also the anniversary of the day in 1777 when Rev. Abraham Blumer hid the Liberty Bell beneath the
floorboards of Zion Reformed Church, Allentown, Pennsylvania to hide it from the British.

Overlooking Copley Square, Old South’s soaring 246 foot Campanile or Tower is the most prominent feature of this
National Historic Landmark building. Constructed in 1874-1875, Old South Church is one of the country’s finest
examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture. Designed by the Boston architectural firm of Cummings and Sears it was
modeled in the style of Northern Italian Gothic architecture and it is one of the three key buildings that define one of
Boston’s great public spaces, Copley Square.

The Old South Bell is also tolled at special occasions. Its peel announces the winners of the Boston Marathon, tolls on
occasions of solemn remembrance and rings in celebration of such local triumphs as when the Red Sox won the World
Series and the New England Patriots won the Super Bowl.

Schedule
Now through September 17: the New Bell Wheel is on display in the main Sanctuary
September 18: the New Bell Wheel is taken apart and wrapped
September 19 at 8:30 a.m. The New Bell Wheel is hoisted into the Tower
September 24 at 11 a.m. The New Bell Wheel is dedicated during worship and the Bell is rung in full swing at 12 noon.