Handbell Choir

The Handbell Choir, eight members, meets every Tuesday night at 7:30.

First Congregational Church has been blessed with three octaves of Schulmerich handbells.  The first octave was given in memory of James W. Wadlow, Sr., in 1970.  In 1977, the next two octaves were given in memory of Signe C. Hansen and Norman McIntyre.

The first Handbell Choir was organized before the first handbells arrived.  Paul White, the Director of Music at the time, couldn't wait to get going, so he made a set of wooden sticks for the choir members to use in the meantime.  One past member of that choir recalled, "I remember fondly standing around the table staring at our bell music, and "ringing" our sticks--I think we rang in silence most of the time, but we also beat them on the table or the music stands to mark the playing. But the ingenious idea worked so well we were able to play the bells in church as soon as they arrived!"

The second choir, under the direction of Dawn Wright, performed until the early 1990s when Ms. Wright resigned her position.  There has not been an active handbell choir at First Church since that time.  In 1994 the set of handbells were loaned to the St. Mary Star of the Sea church, just a few blocks away.  When their handbell choir ceased activity in 1999, the handbells were returned to First Church.  They now sit in their cases in a closet, undisturbed.

In late 2000, talk of starting a new Handbell Choir began.  The bells were sent away to the Schulmerich company and were returned July 24th of 2001.  The Handbell Choir has been activated!  It is such a pleasure having the beautiful music of handbells sound throughout the sanctuary once again.

For more information on Schulmerich handbells, please visit the website of Schulmerich Carillons, Inc.