The History of the Memorial Carillon

This blog features articles and information related to the fiftieth anniversary of First Presbyterian Church. One of the newest additions to the campus will help raise awareness about our church while adding a distinctive note to the neighborhood.

The memorial carillon is a gift made possible by the generosity of several “saints” who just wanted to hear the sound of a carillon. Pat Stokley and Leona Yousling first proposed a carillon for the church and then good friends like Donna Roth took up the project as a memorial to Pat and Leona. The families of both women made generous contributions and finally, because the budget for the anniversary was opened to the congregation, many members of the church made gifts that assured we’d have a beautiful way to glorify God and enhance our presence in the community.

Thank you everyone who made the carillon a reality. You may be wondering, just what is a carillon and what is it for? As a musical instrument, the carillon consists of a keyboard and a footboard, various levers connected to bells typically suspended in a belfry, the church’s steeple. The carillonneur or carillonist is the title of the musician who plays the carillon. Keys on the board are struck or depressed which causes the clapper in the bell to sound, ring.

The new carillon at First Presbyterian Church is an electronic chime instrument. Technically, not a carillon, but flexible enough to enable us to play “bell” music three times a day with a selection of standard Christian hymns and at the holidays, Christmas Carols and Easter Hymns.

What this gift gives us is the opportunity to announce our presence in the community in a creative and innovative way. It will give us the ability to share our traditions with our neighbors and hopefully create a new connection the whole neighborhood will appreciate.

Thanks again to all those who made this possible. To the saints who envisioned it to those who worked to make it possible, especially Elders, Donna Roth and Bob Johnson, Staff, Norma Mack and various church volunteers, especially Bill Wentling.

The Psalmist wrote: Come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before God’s presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise to God…

For years and years to come, let the sound of the carillon remind us of our friends and may it always be a joyful sound to God. So be it!

~Rev. Harrell D. Davis