FPC HANDBELL HISTORY

Thanks to Jane O’Leary for the following brief history of how FPC came to have a bell choir. 

            A church meeting, complete with refreshments, was held one evening in 2003 about the possibility of beginning a Bell Choir. Interestingly, there was no discussion about whether we would have enough participants for playing in a bell choir, although we did have several people who indicated they would like to try being part of one. The church made a commitment to raise funds for a bell choir, and one church member anonymously gave a donation to a large portion of the cost. It was also decided to purchase chimes to add color and variety to the bell set. When added to a bell purchase, they were a greatly reduced price.

        After the bells were ordered, Jay O’Leary agreed to take on the task of directing the bells. He visited with several bell leaders in Sioux City as well as Wayne, and did a lot of reading about the techniques of a bell choir. 

        Over the years, there have been at least 30 people that have played in the bell choir. The first year, the bells played a couple of performances, but spent the most time learning the technique of holding and striking the bells. Some people did not know how to read music, but eventually were able to understand the process of playing the bells.

        The bell choir now goes by the name “Presbyterian Pealers” and plays for a few Sunday Services, and at the “Ring Around Wayne” event that is held annually during the Christmas season.