History of St. Peter's Bells
The ringing of church bells have always been a staple of Catholic churches and here at St. Peter's the tradition still holds. The ringing of the church bells to call in all the faithful for prayer has never stopped. In addition, the current bells used have a history of their own, dating back to the first foundations of the current church building.
Four bells have been rung over the years, with the first two installed in December of 1897. Here is the account as written in the history of the Parish:
"On Saturday evening preceding dedication Sunday, Bishop Messmer blessed two new bells which were to be erected in the bell tower. Sermons were preached in two languages at the ceremony; in English, by Rev. Rainer, the president of St. Francis Seminary; and in Polish, by Rev. Grenbowski, who is the pastor of Sacred Hearch Church in Polonia. Many who were in the large crowd that attended, rapped the bell with a hammer, and offered a monetary donation toward payment of the bells. Immediately after the blessing ceremony, the bells were hoisted in the belfry, and were rung continuously for about an hour, until nearly midnight."
Two additional bells were eventually added on December 6th of 1915. These four heavenly bells continue to serve the St. Peter's community by announcing when Holy Mass is about to start and when the faithful are to recite the Angelus.
The Angelus
The church bells are rung for an extra long period three times throughout the day, (6:00 am, 12:00 pm, 6:00 pm), to call the faithful to pray the "Angelus;" a prayer commemorating the Incarnation of Christ. The title of prayer, "Angelus," is taken from the first word of the Latin version of the prayer, "Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae," meaning: "The ANGEL of the Lord declared unto Mary.
Latin
V/. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae,
R/. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.
Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.
V/. "Ecce Ancilla Domini."
R/. "Fiat mihi secundum Verbum tuum."
Ave Maria, gratia plena...
V/. ET VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST. (A sign of reverence, such as a genuflection or sign of the cross is to be done here in rememberance of Christ becoming human)
R/. Et habitavit in nobis.
Ave Maria, gratia plena...
V/. Ora pro nobis, Sancta Dei Genetrix.
R/. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus: Gratiam tuam quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde; ut qui, angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui Incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem eius et crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
English
V/. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R/. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
V/. "Behold the handmaid of the Lord."
R/. "Be it done unto me according to thy word."
Hail Mary, full of grace...
V/. AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH. (A sign of reverence, such as a genuflection or sign of the cross is to be done here in rememberance of Christ becoming human)
R/. And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, full of grace...
V/. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
R/. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ Thy Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen
The largest of the four bells in the church tower, cast by Stucksted and Bros., St. Louis - December, 1897. It is 40" high and 48" in diameter. Inscription reads, "In Honorem St. Petri" (In Honor of St. Peter).
This bell, cast by H. Stucksted Bell Foundry Co., St. Louis, is 30" high and 30" in diameter. Inscription reads, "In Honorem Stae. Annae, Anno Domini - Dec. 6, 1915, S. A. Elbert, Rector." (In Honor of St. Ann)
Bell on left, cast by Centennial Bell Foundry, G. Campbell and Sons, Milwaukee, is 30" high and 30" in diameter. The inscription reads, "Presented by Andrew Kroll to St. Peter Parish Dec. 25 1986, in Honor of St. Andreae." Bell on right, cast by H. Stucksted Bell Foundry Co. is 36" by 36". Inscription, "In Honorem Sti. Antonii, Anno Domini - Dec. 6, 1915, S.A. Elbert, Rector." (In Honor of St. Anthony)
Interior view of largest bell showing the clapper. In years past the bells were sounded by pulling ropes. Now they are activated by motor-driven anvil-type hammers.
