Charleston has many unique historical attractions that make it quite desirable as a tourist destination.
Its pre-Revolutionary War origins, antebellum architecture, beaches, and countless other port city associated activities combine to make it the destination of choice for folks from all over the world.
Charleston lays claim to a number of unique attributes and one of the lesser known distinctions of the area is that it has more “Rings of Bells” than any other city in North America. A “Ring of Bells” is exactly that: a set of cast church bells numbering from 8 to 10 bells fitted to a bell tower at a church and the ropes used to handle the bells are set in a circular configuration. The bells vary in size and weight, the smallest weighing several hundred pounds ranging up to the largest at almost one ton. A group of bell ringers is called a “Bell Band” and the methodology of ringing the bells is called “Change Ringing”.
There are many different sets of bell music with names like “Plain Hunt Minimus”, “Bob Doubles”, and “Grandshire Triples” among others. We are fortunate to have four “Rings of Bells” in the Charleston area and because of that we are the envy of bell bands around the country.
Bells are fitted in the towers at four local churches, The Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul (Episcopal) on Coming St. (8 bells), Grace Episcopal on Wentworth St (10 bells), St. Michael’s Episcopal at Meeting and Broad (8 bells), and Stella Maris Catholic Church on Sullivan’s Island (8 bells). Although the Stella Maris ring of bells is the smallest, with its heaviest bell (the Tenor) being lighter than some of the lightest bells (the Treble) at the other towers, its bells have a particularly sweet tone to them and are a true joy to ring.
This veritable feast of bells provides the opportunity to attract change ringers from all over the country and every two years the “Ring Around Charleston” event is held where bell music is performed by various bell bands made up from both local and national ringers and ringers from England.
“Ring Around Charleston 2008” took place on the weekend of Feb 23 with ringing activities at all four towers during various times of the days.
On Saturday morning Stella Maris graciously hosted a large crowd of enthusiastic ringers from across the US and England who were more than willing to wait a turn for the opportunity ring their bells. Derrick Wilsden from Atlanta led the bands in ringing a number of methods. Roger and Kathleen Baldwin from England joined in ringing and Arlene Sutherland, the Bell Captain at Stella Maris made everyone feel welcome with true southern hospitality.
The ringers in Charleston are indeed fortunate to have four towers to practice the art of change ringing. Arlene Sutherland, Bell Tower captain at Stella Maris, CJ Cantwell, Bell Tower captain at St. Michaels Episcopal, David Porter, Bell Tower captain at Grace Episcopal, and Kester Heaton, Bell Tower captain at The Cathedral Church of St.
Luke and St. Paul received thanks and appreciation for opening their towers for the ROC 2008 and Dr. Rosalie Crouch, who coordinated this event deserves special thanks for her hard work in making ROC 2008 a resounding success.