About The Oldest Bells In America
The oldest bells in North America
A bell is a hollow, cup-shaped object that produces sound when struck. Typically made of metal (often bronze or brass), with a flared, inverted cup shape. Most bells have a clapper inside that strikes the walls to create sound, though some are struck externally.
The oldest bells in North America are at The Old North Church in Boston, Massachusetts. They are described as the oldest bells in North America by Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center For Media and Democracy defines them as the oldest in America. The North Carolina Council of Churches acknowledges them as the oldest in America. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recognizes them as the oldest in the United States.
The Old North Church bells have a fascinating and historically significant story. They were cast in 1744 by Abel Rudhall in Gloucester, England before being shipped and hung in the Old North Church in 1745. These oldest church bells in the United States hang inside the Old North Church's steeple in Boston.
However, as their change-ringing bell style was the first of its kind in America, Reverend Timothy Cutler had a difficult time finding any experienced bellringers. They sat idle and unused for five years—that is, until 1750, when a group of teenage boys living in the North End was contracted to ring for two hours per week for one year.
One of the most remarkable aspects is that the bells inside the Old North Church were cast in 1744 and rung by a teenaged Paul Revere. At just 15 years old, Revere was one of the first people to ring the bells. Perhaps it was his experience with Old North Church and its steeple that helped him form the plan for the now-legendary events of April 18th, 1775.
Old North has a total of 8 bells, each cast to ring at a different pitch. The treble bell, or #1, is the smallest bell and weighs in at about 620 lbs. The largest is the tenor, or #8, which weighs about 1,500 lbs.
Each bell is hung inside a wooden wheel and frame, with ropes attached that extends to the bell-ringing chamber two floors down. A colored covering on the ropes called a "sally" indicates where the ringer must catch the rope, and also helps prevent rope burn.
The ringing technique is called "change-ringing," which is a mathematical performance type that creates a cascade of sounds determined by specific numeric patterns. One of the most significant details is that one bell has the inscription: "We are the first ring of bells cast for the British Empire in North America, A.R. 1744." The "A.R." stands for Abel Rudhall, the bell founder.
Today, Old North's ringing group is made up of Boston area residents and students in connections to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology called the MIT Guild of Bellringers. The bells at Old North are rung every Sunday after the 11 am service, as well as after special occasions and holidays like the 4th of July.
The bells represent both America's oldest set of church bells and a living tradition that connects directly back to Paul Revere and the Revolutionary War era. The bells were restored in 1894 and in 1975. Despite being nearly 280 years old, they remain in working condition.
You can take a tour of the bells at Old North Church. Visitors will explore the archive room and the bell ringing chamber: two behind-the-scenes areas that aren't typically open to guests. Along the way, you'll learn about Old North's famous bells, notable bell ringers, and the art of change ringing.
*Note: Some sources claim The Spanish Bell at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine is the oldest bell in America. However, that is not entirely accurate. Although the bell dates back to 1682, it is no longer functioning. Today it is preserved as a museum artifact rather than an active operating bell. It was removed from active service decades ago.