CHARLESTON, SC NEWS - LIVE 5 WCSC Breaking News, Weather, SportsRare bells ring in the Holy City

Rare bells ring in the Holy City

By Anthony Miller  bio | email | Twitter

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Odds are you've walked or driven past the Grace Episcopal Church downtown hundreds of times without ever noticing the rarity of the sound of a certain bell. A couple stories above your head there are a set of English change ring bells, an uncommon sight to see these days.

The bells date back to 17th Century England where there are plenty today.

Consider yourself lucky if you see them in the U.S.  There are only 50 in all of North America, four of which are right here in Charleston. So, what exactly are English change ring bells?

"Change ringing developed in England in the 17th century," said Alan Regin. "They swing through 360 degrees, they ring once, then they swing all the way back and ring again."

Regin and about 100 of his friends are in town this weekend for "Ring Around Charleston."

"It's really to give our local ringers exposure to outstanding ringing and ringers," said event organizer Rosalie Crouch.

The bells are located at churches but are rarely used during service.

"It was a bit of a gentleman's sport, they didn't ring for services they rang purely for their own pleasure," said Regin.

Ringers say the events this weekend are about more than having a good time.

"It's a chance to try and infuse people and develop ringing over here," said Regin.

So the question remains, why does the Lowcountry have four of the 50 bells on the continent?

"It's partly interest in history in Charleston and the English connection.  There is a strong English tradition in Charleston and bell ringing goes along with that," said Crouch.

It's a tradition this group hopes to make a little more popular in the U.S.

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