Stony Point: E. 12th Street Bells on Display

By Fr. Steve Ryan, SDB, Vice Provincial

The church bells from our first Salesian mission in the province have been cleaned up and are on display in Stony Point. The bells once tolled throughout Manhattan's Lower East Side at Mary Help of Christians Parish on E. 12th Street. 

The three bronze bells, Mary Help of Christians (1,250 pounds), Giovanna (450 pounds) and Vittoria (250 pounds), were sandblasted, re-yoked, and placed on new stands that were cast in Tennessee. The work was spearheaded by volunteers. Scott Monahan of Pride and Service Elevators took charge of the project from Fr. Jim McKenna eighteen months ago. Fr. Dennis Donovan, the new director of the Marian Shrine, has future hopes for the bells to toll in the church tower. Those who came to Marian Day enjoyed seeing them on display.