When I purchased the church, the clock was still in the tower. However, there was no way to check the condition of the clock works. Most of the floors in the tower had rotted and collapsed. I had to build scaffold up inside the tower to reach the level of the bell and the clock above. This was scary and dangerous at the same time, as what was left of the framing was rotten. The clock originally had four faces, one on each side of the tower. There was a gearing mechanism that operated the hands on each face from the main clock works. The clock works were driven by weights that had to be manually wound up by a crank. The clock had to be wound each week by someone climbing up the ladders in the tower. When I was able to inspect the works, I found that all was intact, very dirty and rusty but intact. I found a plaque on the clock base that said the clock was donated by William Weir in 1887. The same as the bell. There were two mechanisms, one to run the clock hands and one to chime the bell. The bell was chimed each hour by means of a large cast iron hammer. After much effort due to the weight of the steel and brass works, all was lowered down from the tower by means of a chain wench. A man from south England came to pickup the clock and completely refurbish everything. Also to install automatic rewinders for both of the drive mechanisms. This was completed and all installed back in the tower, once all new wooden structure and floors were built back. Everything is operational, just awaiting the adjusting of the clock hands. I decided to eliminate three of the clock faces, due to the condition of the gearing equipment. I plan to have the clock chime the bell everyday at noon. What a day that will be.
Small bell added just to hear inside the church only.
The pendulum is 7 feet long and will be seen thru the front window of the tower observation level (old bell floor)
New clock face.
The rotten floor of the bell level. You can still see the pulley system of the clock weights and the bell rope.
Friend removing the old clock faces and hands
Dedication plaque in the clock
Clock maker
Old clock faces
You have all worked so hard to turn back time and the clock fits the job lovely
Love the pictures. Looking forward to seeing more.
Everything you have done is absolutely amazing Rod!
I continue to be impressed with your work in restoring this old, beautiful church! I know the township is pleased to have someone tackle this magnanimous job! I love the pictures you share so we can see step by step the intricacies of the work! How cool is it that there was a date on that bell! Continue onward, my friend, with your fantastic work and keep those pictures coming! Loving seeing it all come together!
What amazing 'continued' work, Rod. What a blessing you are to this town and a remarkable job you are doing. Continue to be very careful and please continue to share pictures of all your accomplishments! We love taking this journey with you!