Hawes-2Hawes-2Hawes-2Hawes-2
  • John Hawes
    • John Hawes the Man
    • John Hawes the Saint?
    • In the Footsteps of John Cyril Hawes – Pilgrimage 2018
  • His Buildings
    • Geraldton
    • Mid West, Gascoyne & Murchison WA
    • The Bahamas
    • The United Kingdom
    • Architecture Map
    • Hawes Heritage Trail
  • Tours
  • MHHC
    • Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre Museum
    • Merchandise
    • Hawes Heritage Trail
  • Events
    • Hawes Heritage Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
  • Newsletters
  • Membership
    • About Us
    • MHHI Board Members
    • Membership
    • Donate Now
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
✕

The Geraldton Bells

Big Peter 2

Bell donated by Mayor Van Styn on behalf of the City of Greater Geraldton.
Bell donated by the Groessler Cunningham and Williamson Families
Bishop Emeritus Justin Bianchini inspecting the bells in May 2018.

Bell donated by the Siemiginowski Family
Bishop Michael Morrissey blessing the bells with Laith Reynolds, part owner of the John Taylor Bell Foundry.
Tuning of the bells

Bishop Michael blessing the bells.
Bells arranged around the labyrinth ready for blessing.
Fr Cross and Fr Gerard

Bernard Brown addressing the crowd.
Project Builder David Crothers with Project Manager Fr Robert Cross
Anthony Cross ringing the bells.

St Mary’s Perth organist Jacinta Jacovcevic
Andrew Reynolds from John Taylor Bells and Jacinta Jacovcevic, organist.

In August 1923  a large 1.75 ton steel, tin and copper bell called “Great Peter” was installed in SFX Cathedral, Geraldton. It was rung for the fist time by  a  Mr McKay, who for nearly 25 years had been bell ringer at the old St Francis Xavier church and at the Cathedral.

In 1931 this  bell  sustained an eighteen inch crack on one side  requiring repairs. It cracked again apparently after World War II never to be repaired. It was removed from the bell tower and remained for many years behind the Fatima Grotto adjacent to the Presentation Sisters Convent.

As part of the major conservation and refurbishment of the Cathedral begun in 2015, it was proposed to install a full carillon of 27 bells in the  Cathedral’s western  towers to be suspended from 2 frames constructed within the towers.

The foundation of the carillon is a set of eight bells that have  been obtained from the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul in Godalming, England. A further  19 bells have been  manufactured by John Taylor Bells, Loughborough, England, to make the full carillon.

In November 2018 an article appeared in The Australian, reporting on the impending arrival of the bells. 

The bells were blessed after the 9:30 Mass on Easter Sunday 2019. They were   each adorned with a garland of flowers and  given a saint's name.  They were then   displayed at the Wind on Water Festival  at the Geraldton Foreshore.  All the bells have been sponsored by members of the community.  The bells are known as The Geraldton Bells.  Click here to see the Plaque of Dedications.

On 29th November 2019 a Dedication of  'The Geraldton Bells'  Ceremony was held at St Francis Xavier Cathedral and the bells were rung as a carillon for the first time from the keyboard of the Cathedral organ by St Mary's Cathedral Perth organist Jacinta Jacovcevic.   

Report from ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt

 

 

Hear the Bells Ring

The bells ring the hour daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and every evening at 7:40 they play a collection of tunes.

 

Here are some interesting facts about
'The Geraldton Bells'.

  • First 2- Octave carillon with 3 slow swinging bells in the world.
  • Tuned to Modern Concert Pitch, including the Godalming Bells.
  • Nothing like the carillon and operating system in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • A unique mix of ancient and modern - 12th  century and new bells
  • Full IT control – can be played through the internet from anywhere in the world as well as being linked to the Cathedral organ keyboards
  • The bells can be booked to play specific tunes for weddings, funerals and baptisms as well as birthday or other community events.  To book a bell ringing, contact the Parish Office 9964 1608.

© 2018 Monsignor John Hawes. All Rights Reserved. Scoop Design