The bell which hangs in Old St Vincent Church was cast in St. Louis in 1870 and required repair in 2021.
Information about the problem with the bell and the necessary repair action that was taken,
Old St. Vincent Church with the white cupola on top and the shutters at the base of the tower in which the bell is located.
A view of the interior of the cupola.
The 1300 pound bell located inside the tower at Old St. Vincent Church.
A view of some of the steel and wooden beams which support the bell and the rope which runs through the tower to the vestibule below where it is pulled when ringing the bell.
Part of the wooden framing support system for the bell and a repair that needs to be made.
A board that needs to be attached more firmly and some shims added at the top.
A gap between one of the steel beams and the wooden frame that surrounds the inside of the whole tower that needs to be repaired.
Another view of the bell and the large wooden framing support system for the bell. Please note the wheel on the right with the rope on it that is used to ring the bell from the vestibule.
The writing on the outside of the bell at Old St. Vincent Church states that the bell was cast by J. G. Stuckstede of St. Louis, Mo. in 1870.
This small cast figure was found on one side of the bell.
The old clapper and the motion limiting arms that had to be replaced.
OSV parishioner Mike Seyer holds the door for the Virden Company repair man who is carrying the new clapper over his right shoulder and the newly manufactured support in his left hand—see also photos below.
The new support system is held in place inside the top of the bell bowl by the four bolts. The bell is secured by the single clevis bolt (top center) to the yoke (the inverted U-shaped arm), which permits the bell to swing back and forth when it is being rung.
One of the two ball bearing joints around which the bell and wheel rotates when the bell is being rung.
The new support system and motion limiting arms (top and bottom arms) that were attached to the top of the bell bowl. The clapper is attached to the two shorter arms in the center of this picture (see also picture below).
The new clapper and motion limiting arms that were secured to the bell.