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Trinity Lutheran
Church, downtown Houston, is home to one of only three carillons (bell towers)
in Houston, Texas. The
other two are located at the Church of St. John the Divine in River Oaks (42 bells,
1952 & 1962) and the Bell Tower Center Carillon in Spring Branch (53 bells,
1986 & 1991). (A true
carillon has at least 23 bells; fewer bells are known as a “chime of bells.”) In 1954, Trinity dedicated the original
12 bells or chime of bells. Then
in 1957, 13 more bells were added to make the existing 25-bell carillon.
The bells are a
generous gift to Trinity by the Mohnke family in memory of their young
daughter, with this inscription on some of the larger bells:
"In Memoriam to the Glory of God and in
Loving Memory of Myriel Doris Mohnke 1922 - 1936
By Her Parents, Max E. Mohnke, Sr. and Therese
Mohnke and her Aunt Emilie Hoop"
On other bells are
the words:
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they
shall see God. Matthew 5:8."
The bells were made in
Holland by the firm of Petit & Fritsen, founded 1660, and are made of
bronze. They vary in weight from
nearly 90 pounds to 900 pounds and in diameter from about one foot to three feet. The bells do not swing, but are struck
by a clapper operated by the carillonneur from a clavier. The clavier (keyboard) consists of
wooden pegs or batons and pedals connected by wires to the clappers, so that
the bells are rung by either pushing the batons down or striking them with the
fist, or by pressing down the pedals with the feet. The entire system is mechanical, there being no electrical
attachments.
Robert Steuber
handcrafted a practice clavier to the exact measurements of Trinity's
clavier. It uses an electronic
keyboard to produce the appropriate pitch sounds. His wood workmanship shows his expert craftsmanship and
provides an indispensable means for carillonneurs and students to
practice. The only other practice
clavier in Houston is at the Spring Branch Bell Tower. Mr. Steuber graciously donated this
clavier to Trinity.
The bells are
played at Trinity on various occasions--each Sunday as a call to worship,
playing hymns of praise to God following church services, joyful sounds ringing
out for weddings, and songs of remembrance and gratitude to God for souls at
rest during funerals or memorial services. This is another way that Jesus Christ is proclaimed in
downtown Houston. Pastor Black tells the story about a man who was serving time
in the Houston jail in the police station/court complex adjacent to the church.
While hearing the hymn tunes ringing
from the Trinity bells, he made a commitment to attend “the church that played
the bells” once he was released.
"So my word
that goes out from my mouth: It
will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the
purpose for which I sent it. You
will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will
burst into song before you.” (Isaiah 55:11-12)
"It is good to
praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love
in the morning and your faithfulness at night.” (Psalm 92:1-2)
Carillonneurs at Trinity from
1954 to 2011:
Herbert
Garske
Mickey
Gross
Michael
Held
Kathy
Hern
Steve
Morby
M.
Jackson Osborn
Mike
Ryan
Robert
Steuber
Rebecca
Roschke
Jack
Westmoreland
Lesley
Paulus
Carla
Barrows
Guest carillonneurs
are welcome to play Trinity’s carillon.
Please contact the Director of Music and Worship by calling the church
office. Also, if someone is
interested in learning how to play the carillon, lessons can be arranged
through Trinity’s Conservatory of Music and the Arts. The church office has information and forms.
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