The tower chimes were dedicated on September 15, 1889, by Bishop Laurence S. McMahon of Hartford, during the Rectorship of Rev. R.H.J. Lynch. The eleven bells were cast by the McShane Bell Foundry Co. of Baltimore. (https://mcshanebell.com) From largest to the smallest, the bells range from 3,600 lbs. to 175 lbs in weight. Originally, connected manually to a clavier via wires with three swinging bells via ropes, the ringing system was electrified in 1947. Later, in 1959, the system was updated to provide automatic liturgical bell ringing such as The Angelus and funeral tolls. In 2000-2001, the bells were updated with new bolts, strikers, and a new control box. Today, the bells are carefully maintained by Church Specialties, Inc. (https://churchspecialtiesllc.com)
Some facts written by Rev. Gregg Mecca upon the 130th anniversary of the installation of the set.
The consecration of the bells in the afternoon was the principle event of the day. Long before the hour fixed for the ceremony large numbers entered the church, and before the time of service the edifice was filled. At half-past 2 o’clock every seat in the church was occupied, and two rows of camp chairs were placed in the aisles. When the line of priests and acolytes entered the sanctuary from the vestry door to the left of the altar and took their places in the sanctuary, the crowd in the church was immense. Every seat was occupied and the two side aisles were crowded with standing people. The galleries were packed, the crush there being so great that there was no sitting room. Standing room only was the order. It was the largest number ever in St. Peter’s since its erection, and 3,000 is a calm estimate.
There were eighty sponsors to the bells, forty of whom were taken from the ladies of the Immaculate Heart, and the other half of the sponsors were young men from the St. Peter and St. Vincent DePaul temperance societies. The young ladies were all dressed in white and wore veils, and many of them carried bouquets. They occupied seats in the centre aisle. When the time came for offerings of contributions they in turn hung their envelopes on the bell inscribed to their society. The young men sponsors crowded themselves in front of the altar rails on the gospel side and put their contributions in the box when it was passed to them. Mayor Hopkins and members of the city and town government occupied seats in the centre of the church, near the altar. There were also a large number of representative people of the city present by invitation.
It was just 3:00 o’clock when the vestry door opened and a number of priests entered the sanctuary and took their places on the gospel side of the altar, the acolytes occupied the left, following the acolytes came the bishop in full pontifical robes, who took his place in front of the table in the center of the sanctuary, and facing the congregation. Father Smith of Boston, was deacon, and Father McMahon, brother of the bishop, was sub-deacon. On the table in front of the bishop were placed the holy water, holy oils, the chrism, and the incense for the blessing and consecration of the bells. The clergymen present in the sanctuary at this time were: Bishop McMahon, of Hartford; J. S. O’Connor, S.J., of New York; J. A. Dooner, S.J., of New York; R. J. Holland, S. J., of Woodstock, MD; J. B. Becker, S.J., of New York; J. W. McMahon, of Charleston, MA; Hugh P. Smith, of Boston; P. M. Kennedy, of Birmingham; C. J. McElroy, of New Milford; J. B. Nibol, of Bridgeport; J. T. Kennedy, of Newtown; P. Donahue, of Newtown; P. O’Connell, of Bethel; Michael Daley, of Broadbrook, and Fathers Lynch, Walsh and Downey, of Danbury.
The clergy at the side of the altar began the ceremony with the singing of “Miserere mei Deus,” etc., (Have mercy on me, oh God) while the bishop and deacons intoned the psalms of the ceremony, ending with the De profundis (out of the depth I have cried to thee, oh, Lord, etc) At the conclusion of the psalms the bishop arose and blessed the salt and water. Then discarding his crosier he went to each of the bells that were placed in the sanctuary and near the altar rails and washed each bell, saying Lauda anima mea, Dominum ( Praise my soul the Lord) and the choir of priests sang the Laudate. The washing of the bells signifies the purity of life and soundness of doctrine, which should be found in both priest and people. The sign of the cross was then made on each of the bells with holy oil. After the recital of other prayers the bishop again made seven signs of the cross on the exterior of the bells, accompanied with these words, “Sanctificatur et consecretur Domina signum intud,” (Let this sign be sanctified and consecrated, Oh Lord.) At the same time the clergy chanted the Afferie Domino. The seven signs of the cross represent the seven gifts of the Holy Ghost and the seven sacraments to Christ. Following came the four marks by the bishop with the chrism in the interior of the bells typical of the four quarters of the universe. The final feature in the ceremony was the burning of thus, thyme and myrr under each bell, the incense filling each with perfume. The burning of incense indicates the prayers of the faithful, and that the bells be dedicated solely to divine worship. A psalm was then said and the deacon then sang a gospel taken from St. Luke, the bishop gave his final sign of blessing on the bells and the beautiful ceremony was ended.
Father Jeremiah O’Connor, of New York, the leading orator in the Jesuit order in this country; delivered the sermon. It was an eloquent effort and was listened to with rapt attention. Following the sermon was a solemn vespers. The article (in the local paper at the time) continues with the text of the service followed by a description of the dedication of the basement Chapel.
(side note: Not only was the First Mayor present but the bell at Danbury City Hall was cast from the
Same foundry in the same year 1889)
The Bells and inscriptions on them:
The 3,600 lbs C# St. Peter 6/29
St. Peter A.M.D.G
These chimes donated by the lades of St. Peter Parish, Danbury, Conn.,
Are dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the conversion of sinners.]
This bell was presented by the children of St. Peter’s Parochial School, Danbury, Conn.
These chimes were consecrated by the Rt Rev. Laurence S. Mc Mahon, Bishop of Hartford
Sept 15, 1889 in the reign of Pope Leo XIII. The Rectorship of Rev. Henry J. Lynch.
The Cardinalate of Rt. Rev. James Gibbons
The Presidency of Benjamin Harrison , and in the Mayorship of LL Hopkins First Mayor of Danbury.
On bottom it reads Festum Sanctuissimi Nominis Mariae 1889
2,600 lbs D# St. Lawrence This Bell is dedicated to Honor the Children of Mary 8/10
1,800 lbs E# St. Stephen This bell is dedicated to the honor of the Rosary and scapular Societies 12/26
1,500 lbs F# St. Henry 07/13
1,300 lbs G St. Matthew 09/21
1,100 lbs G# St. Luke 10/18
750 lbs A# St. Mark 04/25
650 lbs B St. John 12/27
450 lbs C# St. Mary Immaculate (second Saturday after Pentecost)
250 lbs D# St. Cecilia 11/22
175 lbs E# St. Patrick 03/17