FIRST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
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CARILLON RESTORATION PROJECT

HOPE RINGS IN THE VALLEY


Our congregation is beginning a project to restore our 28-bell carillon, which fell silent last October. 
 
The carillon was originally installed back in 1910 and contained 10 bells manufactured by Meneely and Company of West Troy, New York. The bells were rung by a lever-and-pulley console, which demanded 60 pounds of push to operate

In 1946, the carillon was "electrified," and the bells were rung using a keyboard console located adjacent to the organ. All ten bells were rededicated in memory of congregation members who died during World War 2.

In 1986, Dr. Alton J. Bush was authorized to organize the Tower Bell Project to add additional bells to the carillon. The Verdin Company of Cincinnati installed eleven new bells, which were cast in Holland by the Petit & Fritsen. The original bells were refurbished, and a new clapper system was installed for all bells. The 21-bell carillon was dedicated on June 1, 1986.

On November 1, 1987, five additional bells were dedicated. On October 8, 1988, the council approved dedicating the Carillon in memory of Dr. Bush, who died earlier that year. Two additional bells were dedicated in 1989 in Dr. Bush's memory, making our 28-bell carillon one of the largest in Western Pennsylvania. 

In 1999, the Verdin Company upgraded the electronic control system, which provided music every day at noon and 6 p.m. The carillon could be programed to provide music for seasons throughout the year, including Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and national holidays.

In October 2022, the
 hard drive in the controller system failed, and the carillon fell silent. With parts for a 23-year-old system no longer available, a new controller must be purchased at a cost of $21,500. Additional costs for installation, updates to the electrical wiring, and refurbishing of strikers are not yet known to us but are expected to be significant.


You can help restore the carillon which rings out the music of God's love every day at noon and 6pm!

Click here to make a secure online gift. Please select BELL TOWER FUND from the dropdown menu beside the words GIVE TO.

You are also invited to mail gifts to First Lutheran Church, 358 Main St. Leechburg, PA 15656. Please include "Bell Tower Fund" in the memo line. 

Read more in this featured article from the April 22 Valley News Dispatch!



FUNDRAISING EVENTS


QoA Bassoon Quartet Concert: Sunday, June 11 - 3:00 pm. $10 suggested freewill donation

​Marianna's pizza and hoagie fundraiser: accepting orders NOW 

Click here to view the menu
Click here to download an order form
Price: $10 for pizza or hoagies
Picture

chime inscriptions


1910 Carillon Inscriptions

BELL No. 1. - Presented by Joseph Kepple and Family; Mr. and Mrs. Winchester Hill; Mrs. Margaret Sober. This chime was erected in The First Lutheran Church, Leechburg, Pa., in October A. D., 1910, to the greater glory of God. “O, Come Let Us Worship."

BELL No. 2. - In honor of the many members of the Congregation whose names do not appear upon the bells, whose generosity made possible the erection of the chime and the necessary addition to the tower. “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
​
BELL No. 3. - Presented by the Sunday School. "Feed my sheep! Feed my lambs!"

BELL No. 4. - Presented in honor of Rev. Jacob Zimmerman, by his descendants in the congregation bearing his name.

BELL No. 5.- Presented by Mrs. Flora Stivenson, in memory of John Stivenson, Sr.

BELL No. 6.- Presented by Ira S. Shaffer and Family; Levi J Hill and Family; H. D. Bruce and Family, memory of Marion L. Bruce.

BELL No. 7. - Presented by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kline; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Craig; Mr. and Mrs. William Smiley; Mr. and Mrs. John G. Stivenson.

BELL No. 8. - Presented by Thomas M. Klingensmith and Family; Frank H. Lookabaugh and Family.

BELL No. 9. - Presented by Mr. and Mrs. Edward William Shoop.

BELL No. 10. - Presented by the Women's Missionary Society; the Young Mission Workers.

Dedicated October 29, 1910

1986 Carillon Inscriptions

In memory of Hazel Zimmerman by her husband John Zimmerman

In memory of the Family of Labanna Peter Baker by his daughter O. Lyda baker

In honor of Glark La & Laura Reed Artman, C. L & Eleanor Shaffer, Donald L. & Donna J. Shaffer, Diahanna & Douglas, 
Sherry S. & Walter B. Heddinger, Jr. & Michael by Doris Fay Artman

Lena Kepple Shaner, 1913 - 1984. Her life was an inspiration to her family; through these bells, it will bring joy to others.

In loving memory of Mr. & Mrs. Glenn L. Shaner, life-long members & Mr. & Mrs. Russell Miller by the Robert L. Miller Family

In memory of Winchester & Lottie Cline & Children, Mae, Myrtle & Charles by Marie & William

In memory of Paul William Cline by his family William, Laith, Virginia, Betty & Dean

In loving memory of Elijah Meredith Lookabaugh, Lydia Cook Lookabaugh by their son Paul Meredith Lookabaugh 

In memory of loved ones Marilyn W. Shaffer, Paul A. Thomas Jr., Charles H. Conto given by Mr. & Mrs. John P. Shaffer

In loving memory of R. Joseph Kepple for his devotion to his church and its music given his wife, Laura, and Children 
Sing praises unto the Lord

In honor of Goldie I . Cribbs 

In memory of Logan L. Cribbs

In honor of Walter & June Klingensmith 

In memory of Clarence & Edith O. Schall by their daughter Hazel J. Schall

In memory of Melza Campbell

In honor of Vernon & Lillian Kilgore

In memory of Milford Schall

In memory of their parents: James C. & Mary Hall Bush, John E. & Mae Artman Copeland given by Harold J. & Margaret Copeland Bush

In memory of Merle C. Bush, Mildred Bush Piper, Rankin J. Bush, Edith Bush Lookabaugh given by Alton & Alene Bush & Family

In loving memory of Joseph & Elizabeth Kepple, Theodore & Jessie Kepple, Mary B. Kepple, Ralph & Stella Smail, Florence Kepple Smail given by Everett & Ruth Kepple Smail

In honor of Florence Kipp Isiminger. For her many years of devotion to music: singing and teaching, given by her brother James

In memory of Abram Edward Kipp. For his life-long devotion to vocal music, given by his brother James

In loving memory of William A. & Lillian B. Kipp. For their dedication to their Lord in serving in many church activities, given by their son James


Dedicated Sunday, June 1, 1986
"On Hearing the Chimes of First Lutheran Church, Leechburg, PA"

"I stood alone upon a twilight hill
When busy day's long work was done, and heard,
Clear-toned as is the throat of some sweet bird
Warbling its song unto a listening rill
The silver voices of the bells that fill
The evening valleys with old hymns unheard
Since childhood days, dear music like the Word
Of God that leaves the listener awed and still.

"Ring on, O silver chimes of singing bells,
Singing the cares of all the world away,
Bringing the dear old melody that swells
My eyes to tears, hymning the far-away
To you our love, our grateful hearts belong,
O Chimes, Sweet Gospelers of golden song."


--Dr. John D. M. Brown, Muhlenberg College, 1910
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  • Home
  • About us
    • Our Story
    • Meet the Pastor
    • Carillon Restoration Project
    • Directions
    • Stained Glass Windows
  • Worship
    • What to Expect
    • Online Worship Resources
    • Sermon Blog
  • Faith
    • What We Believe
    • How Lutherans Interpret the Bible (in brief)
    • Baptism
    • Scripture Readings for Times of Need
    • About the ELCA
  • Ministries
    • Clothing Closet
    • Grief Support Group
    • Little Free Pantry
    • Leechburg Food Bank
    • Christian Counseling
    • Unglued Revitalization Team
    • Partner Ministries
  • Events
    • Newsletter
    • Calendar
    • Facebook
  • Contact Us
  • Give Online
    • Online Giving Tutorial