Adventures in Bell Maintenance

This week the Cathedral's bells rang for the first time in a long time. Although the ringing was brief, and part of ongoing repair work, it signals that we are one step closer to having our bells ringing again. It also marks a new chapter in the Cathedral's relationship with the renowned Paccard foundry. 

The Paccard foundry was commissioned to create the four bronze bells that were installed during the renovations in 2015-2016. Since then the bells have been maintained by a contracted company in the United States. As a result of the pandemic, when our bells stopped functioning, the U.S. company was unable to perform the needed maintenance and repairs.

This year the Cathedral- yearning to finally get the bells ringing again- contacted Paccard directly. After conversations with the renowned bell makers, Cathedral leadership decided to entrust repairs and maintenance to the company that made them. After all, who knows the bells better than their creator? 

This week, engineer Thomas Paccard - the eighth generation of Paccards to work for the family enterprise - spent two days with us inspecting our bells and making the first round of repairs. During those two days, if you were downtown, you may have heard the bells ringing as he tested a whole host of things. You may have also seen him climbing the bell tower to visually inspect each bell and it's related mechanics. 

While the three smaller bells have been given a clean bill of health, Paccard has advised against tolling them until repairs are complete on all four bells. The large bell requires a new motor, and the electronic controls need to be updated. 

Paccard engineers are expected to return within the next two months to install the motor and controls. We are hopeful we will be able to ring the bells for Remembrance Day if all goes well with the next phase of repairs. 

(Photos by Alicia Ambrosio and Matthew Senf. 1. Douglas Yee (the Cathedral's engineer advisor) and Carlos look on as Thomas Paccard installs electronic panels. 2. Douglas looks on as Thomas does the hard work 3. Pastor Matthew Senf was to climb into the tower to view the large bell - and wore full safety equipment when he wasn't taking a selfie. 4. Thomas Paccard inspect the electronics before yet another climb up the tower. 5. Thomas climbs into the large bell 6. Thomas climbs the tower. 7. Thomas climbs up to the smaller bells. 8. Shawn and Thomas inspect electronic in between climbs.)