Carillon
The carillon, a gift of the Knights of Columbus to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, is housed in the 329-foot campanile, named the Knights’ Tower as it, too, is a gift of the Knights of Columbus.
Cast by the Foundries of Les Fils De Georges Paccard of Annecy-Le-Vieux, France, and Petit and Fritsen, Ltd., Aarle-Rixtel, Holland, the bells were nine months in the making.
The bells were consecrated and dedicated at the National Shrine in 1963, restored in 1988, and rededicated in 1989.
The carillon is a 56-bell instrument that has a range of two octaves. The bells range in weight from 21 to 7,200 pounds with a combined weight of 37,150 pounds.
In accordance with an ancient and recognized custom, the larger bells carry names. The Blessed Virgin Mary bell, the largest bell, strikes on the hour. The bells that strike on the quarter hour are Christopher (C), Edward (F), Francis of Assisi (G) and Virgil (A).
The two bell chambers are located at the levels of 172 feet and 223 feet of the Knights’ Tower. The playing cabin for the carillonneur is located at the 200-foot level, between the tiers of bells.
From the playing cabin, the carillonneur plays the bells by striking the wooden baton-keys with the fist. The larger bells may also be played by the feet via the wooden keys of the pedal board.
The bells of the carillon are rung throughout the day—each hour, prior to Mass, and at the Angelus—and can be heard throughout the Basilica’s environs. Carillon recitals are performed each Sunday at 2:30pm, as well as during the Basilica’s Summer Recital Series, and on other special occasions.
For more detailed history and information on the Knights of Columbus Campanile and Carillon, please click here.
