Freemason Street Baptist Church's Tower Chimes were given to the church as a gift in 1917 by Mrs A.L. Turner. Purchased from the Meneely Bell Company of Troy, NY; they were installed in the church steeple and completed before the start of 1919. The ringing mechanism, specifically the cables and pulleys were all repaired and restored as part of a massive restoration project undertaken by the church just prior to its 150th anniversary.
 
Mounted in the church steeple just one level below the chimes themselves, the chimestand is rarely seen by anyone other than the young man who plays them from time to time.
 
In this picture you can see the cabling and clappers which actually ring the bells. The complete chimeset consists of 10 bells, the largest more than four feet across at the mouth. For safety purposes, the hatch leading to the portion of the steeple containing the bells remains locked. Access can be gained only by permission of the building supervisor.

Freemason Street is fortunate to have three people with experience in playing the bells. David Davis and Evan (Trip)Vanleeuwen III are both members of Freemason Street. Sean Bilby (right)is a member of Suffolk Christian Church but works in downtown Norfolk. Every Wednesday he walks over to the church and plays the bells for a half-hour at noon.

Individuals who would like to see the bell tower mechanism or to learn to ring the bells at FSBC should contact Robert Shoup at mithimmelschor@yahoo.com for more information and to set up an appointment.