Workers have put the finishing touches on the new bell tower at St. Mary Church, which will house the church’s 1917 bell. The bell, silent since a June 18, 1972, fire destroyed the church and the tower that housed it, will toll at its dedication next Saturday, Aug. 29 at 4:45 p.m., followed by a Mass at 5 p.m. The church is located at 731 Main St., across from the Blackstone Library.
The two-ton cast bronze bell had been resting on a slab of concrete on the church grounds since the fire; a traditional bell tower was not included in the new church due to the cost. The bell was sent to the Verdin Company in Cincinnati to be mechanized.
The restoration of the bell is the second big event for the church this year. The newly constructed 2,500 square-foot social hall was dedicated in May. That, too, had been put on hold when the church was rebuilt since members were able to use the nearby Knights of Columbus Hall (since closed) and St. Mary School. Costing almost $1.8 million, the 7,000-square-foot facility also houses offices, restrooms, lobby and storage. The hall itself accommodates 170 people at tables and 350 as an auditorium.
According to Business Manager Ronald Shea, it was the culmination of a two-year fund-raising and visionary campaign that had determined the facility would contribute toward “members getting to know each other as fellow Christians.”
Pledges from 700 parish households covered the entire cost of the project. Also funded was approximately $200,000 for replacement windows at St. Mary School on Cedar Street and approximately $200,000 for renovations to the interior of the church.
Shea says that $2,350,000 in total needed to be raised, and that’s what was pledged. He says the lead donor was parishioner James Salatto along with an anonymous donor who made a six-figure donation. Donors had the opportunity to fund specific parts of the project: Local businessman Dan Cosgrove funded the business office and Jane Rosenthal, owner of the Owenego Beach Club, contributed the pastor’s office, courtyard and central lobby.
Vigliotti Construction Company was the general contractor; Alex Vigliotti is a member of St. Mary’s. While the project did go out to bid, Shea said that Vigliotti’s time and expertise saved money. “He kept a close eye on things,” says Shea.
According to the Rev. Christopher Ford, St. Mary’s priest, the new bell tower, designed by Peter Kosinski of Kosinski Enterprises Inc., Branford and Fort Lauderdale, combines two architectural styles – the Italian Renaissance style of the rectory (and the original church) and the neo-Colonial style of the church.
The original church was built in 1903 and burned the same year. The Italian Renaissance church, constructed in its place, housed the bell in its 10-story tower. The newest church was completed in 1974.
The bell carries the inscription, “Meneely & Co., West Troy, N.Y., 1917 – St. Joseph, Pray for Us – In Memorium The Scanlan Family – Miss Mary T. Scanlan – Miss Eliza L. Scanlan.” The Scanlans were parishioners at St. Mary’s.
According to the Meneely Online Museum, the Meneely Bell Foundry was established in 1826 in West Troy by Andrew Meneely. A second foundry was opened across the River in Troy by Andrew’s son, Clinton Meneely. Together the two companies manufactured about 65,000 bells before they closed in 1952.
The August bell and tower dedication will be held in conjunction with the 125th anniversary of the local Knights of Columbus, Eldorado Council No. 10, which donated the tower. It is the oldest local tower in continuous operation, says Fr. Ford. Archbishop Henry Mansell of the Archdiocese of Hartford is expected to attend the dedication.
Approximately 2,700 households are registered with St. Mary’s, says Shea, with 1,500 attending Masses each week.
“The bell is a memorial to the founders of the parish,” says Fr. Ford. “It will again become useful and visible.”
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