Pensioner Jack helps bell toll

Rev Adrian Matthews and restored bell at St John the Evangelist Church, Failsworth.

A CHURCH bell in Failsworth is once again calling a congregation to prayer after a 30-year silence.

The bell at St John the Evangelist Church, Oldham Road, has lain dormant for over a quarter of a century.

Now thanks to fundraising by the church’s men’s group and community donations, the bell has pealed once again.

The Rev Adrian Matthews said: “The church was consecrated in 1846 and we suspect the cast bronze bell is from 1849.

“About 30 years ago the pulley system used to strike the bell was rotten and there was some concern about the wooden bell frame.”

Perfect

A chance visit by an Oldham Council employee sparked an idea that prompted a fundraising campaign to get the bell in use again.

Mr Matthews said: “The man from the council who services the church’s clock said the bell was in perfect working order but mentioned getting an electronic striker.

“I suggested to the men’s group that we had a look at getting it sorted and they started fundraising in January last year.

“A total of £3,000 has been raised from personal donations. Two pensioners in particular have been very generous. One, who wants to be known as Pensioner Jack, doesn’t attend the church but feels St John’s is his parish church and gave two donations of £500 and £300.

“Another pensioner also donated £100.”

As a result, an electronic striker was installed and the bell’s first peal in 30 years was heard throughout Failsworth at 10am on March 15.

Mr Matthews said: “It’s not that loud, but we had someone on the other side of Failsworth Park who came across to find out where the bells were coming from. Most of the congregation are very much in favour of the bell. They say it’s really nice to hear and it takes them back to being a child.”

The next step is getting the bell to strike the hours, as well as install an electronic timer to change the speeds to suit different occasions.

Mr Matthews said: “The idea is also to get the clock faces in full working order, but we also need to tackle subsidence in the east end of the church which will cost £200,000.

“Having the bell ringing is a real encouragement.”