Although the three new bronze bells forged at the Paccard Bell Foundry in Annecy, France were ready for timely delivery in late July, the international shipping routes were so disrupted by the pandemic, as much as all other aspects of life, that they were skipped over in priority.

Earlier this month, Pastor Haug saw the shipping receipts noting the bells’ placement aboard a ship from Antwerp. They will arrive two weeks later in the Port of Charleston, South Carolina. Finally, they will arrive in Minneapolis for display in church on Sunday, September 26th.

So, together with the inauguration of the harpsichord, we celebrate the blessing of the bells. The following day, the workmen will begin the process of constructing a new frame for the installation of all four bells. The complete set of bells will be heard for the first time on Sunday, October 3rd at 11:00 during the outdoor blessing of the animals at our annual St. Francis Day service on the church lawn. We will unveil them as a part of the outdoor event. Please extend an invitation to family and friends to enjoy these two Sundays.

The French Family of Bell Makers