If the historic old city hall bell and the existing clock tower bell are restored, resident Harold Claffey believes a golden opportunity exists for both to make merry melody downtown.
Claffey can remember as a boy when his former church, the now-closed St. George's Anglican Church on 10th Avenue Northwest, cared for the historic 111-year-old object after it was removed from the former city hall building on Fairford Street West and First Avenue Northwest.
The church displayed the bell on a stand outside its entrance for years. With a chuckle, Claffey told city council on March 9 that “kids being kids,” one evening a few youths tested whether the bell still worked. After that noisy night, the bell’s cord was shortened and hung higher on the stand.
The bell was later displayed outside the Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery. It was eventually moved to the city yards after it was vandalized and sat in the yard until the heritage advisory committee had it repaired with help from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The hope is to put it on display in a prominent space where it cannot be damaged.
According to a council report, the committee submitted two recommendations aimed at preserving both bells.
The current bell at city hall could toil once again throughout the downtown, but only if it and the glass in the clock tower are repaired. The bell does not work, but new equipment could make it ring on special occasions. Since the glass is in such disrepair, it would likely break when the bell rings.
One recommendation asked council to allocate funds up to $15,000 from the heritage reserve account to construct a new stand for the original city hall bell. A second recommendation asked that funds up to $45,000 from the facilities reserve account be used to repair the glass and the bell in the clock tower.
During its March 9 regular meeting, council voted 6-1 in favour of referring both recommendations to city administration so formal reports can be produced.
Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed to both motions.
“My point here is the churches of Moose Jaw are instrumental in preserving the heritage of Moose Jaw and still are,” Claffey said during council’s discussion.
Should council decide to install the historic bell in the tower, Claffey pointed out there is already one set of well-maintained full octave bells at St. Aidan Anglican Church a few blocks away — a set that is likely the only one of its kind in Western Canada.
During the 100th anniversary of St. Aidan Anglican Church — formerly St. John's Anglican — a few years ago, reputable writer Leith Knight indicated the church was probably the most historic building in Moose Jaw, Claffey continued. Conversations he’s had with visitors also indicate they think Moose Jaw “is one of the prettiest cities they’ve ever seen as far as heritage buildings and old buildings.”
“Therefore, if both bells are restored and put into use here, I suggest there be a bell concert in downtown Moose Jaw … you could ring the bells at city hall at the same time as people at St. Aidan ring the bells and downtown Moose Jaw would be magnificent with the sound of bells,” he added.
The next regular council meeting is March 23.
