St. Michael’s first bell was hung in 1718. When news of the Declaration of Independence broke out in 1776, it was rung so hard by fervent patriots that it cracked. A new bell was installed in 1802 but was damaged beyond repair in 1817. A third bell was cast by the Paul Revere & Sons Foundry in 1818 and hangs in the tower today.
A major renovation was undertaken in 1994 to replace worn bearings and to preserve the rusting cast iron supports. Today, the Revere bell at St. Michael’s is heard regularly throughout Marblehead’s downtown during Mass, and is rung—along with other town bells—during patriotic celebrations including Independence Day.
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A Paul Revere bell hangs in St. Michael's belltower |
