CATHEDRAL BELLS OF BATHURST
- A COMMUNITY PROJECT -
‘Become part of the history of Bathurst’
The City of Bathurst in New South Wales, Australia has the unique distinction of having a set of cathedral bells but no tower in which to house them.
Unfortunately, in the mid 1890s it was discovered that the foundations of the tower were becoming unstable because of the ringing of the bells. It was at this time that they ceased ringing them in the ‘full circle fashion’ and adopted the method of ‘striking’ the bells instead. No one alive has ever heard the bells rung in the manner for which they were originally designed.
When the old Cathedral tower was demolished in 1970, the six bells went into storage in the expectation that a tower would be built one day from which that would be rung again. They have since been refurbished by Taylors, Eayre and Smith of Loughborough, UK. Three new bells have also been purchased and all nine are ready for re-hanging.
It has been planned over the past six years to construct a new tower and educational centre in the grounds of All Saints’ Cathedral in which the original six bells and three new ones will be hung. Indeed, this has been the intention for the past thirty years.
Construction of the tower has now commenced and it will be completed by the end of 2008. The dedication of the tower and an ecumenical 'blessing of the bells' is planned for 21st February 2009 at 11 am. Fundraising is continuing and you are encouraged to support the Project.
Cathedral Bells of Bathurst
Community Committee
President: The Right Reverend Richard Hurford, OAM,
Anglican Bishop of Bathurst
Executive Chair: The Very Reverend Andrew Sempell,
Dean of Bathurst
Secretary: Miss Margaret Macpherson
Fundraising Chair: Mr Maurice McNeil
PO Box 258,
Bathurst, NSW, 2795.
Telephone: (02) 6331 4711.
Email: bxcathedral@ix.net.au
All Saints' Cathedral Website: www.allsaintscathedralbathurst.websyte.com.au
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