The Oldest Bell in Chicago

On Sunday, December 10th, the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Chicago celebrated the 40th anniversary of the installation of their single bell. This is no ordinary bell, however. This bell was bought from St. Mary’s Parish Church in Everton, Bedfordshire, England. Misfortune for St. Mary’s meant a welcome opportunity for the Church of Our …

Silent Bells of Downtown Chicago II

Now onto the bells of the Metropolitan Tower at 310 South Michigan Avenue, which I alluded to last time. Emily Nunn, Chicago Tribune reporter, had the enviable opportunity in 2007 to see the top of the tower--and the bells--up close. Her article lays out most of what I know. I'll add that these clock-chime bells …

Silent Bells of Downtown Chicago

I've written about the digital bells you hear in downtown Chicago here and here, but there are other bells...real bronze bells, up in those tall skyscrapers. There's some in the Metropolitan Tower, which is a blog post for another time, and there are four in the 11 South LaSalle Street Building, otherwise known as the …