Installation of the Bells

The finished bells made their long journey from the Paccard Foundry in Annecy, France, to the Illinois construction site. By mid-February 1983, the complete shipment of bronze bells officially arrived in Centralia to begin the installation process.

The delivery of the bells was a highly anticipated milestone for the local community and project organizers. During the unloading process, when the crew prepared to hoist the massive "Great Tom" bell from the delivery truck, William Joy enthusiastically hopped onto the bell for a celebratory ride.

Before any of the heavy bronze components could be moved into the steel tower structure, the community gathered to dedicate the instrument. Organizers held a formal Christening Ceremony to celebrate the bells prior to them being lifted into their permanent positions in the tower.

The physical installation and hoisting process began in mid-February. Work crews started by lifting the larger, heavier bells to the top of the tower, allowing the previously empty belfry to take shape.

The task of moving the massive bronze pieces up the structure proceeded one by one. This lengthy lifting and hanging job continued steadily until mid-March, when the last of the bells were hung in their permanent places within the open-air cage.

With the bells fully secured, crews needed to install the playing mechanism, which resembles a piano keyboard with the addition of organ pedals. On March 15, this baton keyboard was lifted into its designated position on the floor immediately below the bells, officially completing the installation and allowing visiting carillonneurs to stand among the newly hung instrument.