Despite Complaints, St. Paul's Bells Ring

Every 15 minutes during the day, the bells now toll for the neighbors of St. Paul Church on 26 Mt. Auburn St.--whether they like them or not.

After a twenty year hiatus, the four bells were refurbished during a recent renovation of the church's 75-year-old brick bell tower at a cost of approximately $75,000.

Because the bells are heard more than 50 feet from the church, the congregation is in violation of the city's current noise ordinance.

The Cambridge Licensing Committee was supposed to review the violation last Tuesday and had the power to fine the church as much as $300 per day.

Instead, the City Council decided to consider an amendment to the noise ordinance that would exempt bell and clock towers from the regulation. In response, the licensing committee removed the matter from Tuesday's agenda.

According to City Clerk D. Margaret Drury, the amendment was motivated by a desire to protect the bells of St. Paul.

Whereas the council is sympathetic to the bells, some of St. Paul's neighbors are asking for sympathy.

"My bedroom and study open unto Arrow Street [and] recently I have had my work seriously interrupted by an extremely loud bell...every quarter of the hour," said Eza Sims, a composer who works at home, at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Terry Crystal, a resident of Mass. Ave., also thinks the bells are an intrusion.

"There are people who works at night and sleep during the day or work at home and for them it's real hardship," Crystal said.

Crystal also feels that an amendment to the noise ordinance would unfairly favor religious institutions.

"Why is St. Paul above the law? If anybody elsewas annoying their neighbors, they wouldn't be,"Crystal said.

Council Member Sheila T. Russel, however,denies that the city favors churches and said thecouncil's action was fair.

She said that only a couple of people havecomplained to the council about St. Paul's bells.

"I think what we're doing is valuing theopinion of the majority, which is democracy,"Russel said.

Reverend Monsignor Dennis F. Sheehan, thepastor of St. Paul Church, said that he hasreceived literally hundreds of letterscomplimenting the bells, but only threecomplaints.

Council Member Michael A. Sullivan saidcomplaints about noise often undermine the city'scultural vibrancy. For example, citizens objectedto the late night conclusion of Central Square's75-year-old Grecian festival.

Although the council as a whole stronglysupports the church, one member sympathizes withSt. Paul's neighbors.

"I think I was the only person on the councilthat had an iota of sympathy for these people,"said Council Member Henrietta Davis.

Davis wondered if the parties couldn't find acompromise.

"It makes sense to listen...and maybe make itbetter for one or both of them," Davis said.

Originally, the church ran the bellstwenty-four hours a day, but agreed to stop themcompletely from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

However, Crystal thinks the church has not beenresponsive enough.

"I have called them and they said they wouldtry to do something, but they haven't doneanything," Crystal said.

Monsignor Sheehan said the bells could not bemade to chime less frequently, but only shut offcompletely.

"You can stop them entirely or your can ringthem, but once you ring them you must ring them onthe quarter hour," Sheehan said.

For now, the decision is to let them ring.

Mayor Francis H. Duehay '55 said it is "likelythat the city will let the bells continue.

"Why is St. Paul above the law? If anybody elsewas annoying their neighbors, they wouldn't be,"Crystal said.

Council Member Sheila T. Russel, however,denies that the city favors churches and said thecouncil's action was fair.

She said that only a couple of people havecomplained to the council about St. Paul's bells.

"I think what we're doing is valuing theopinion of the majority, which is democracy,"Russel said.

Reverend Monsignor Dennis F. Sheehan, thepastor of St. Paul Church, said that he hasreceived literally hundreds of letterscomplimenting the bells, but only threecomplaints.

Council Member Michael A. Sullivan saidcomplaints about noise often undermine the city'scultural vibrancy. For example, citizens objectedto the late night conclusion of Central Square's75-year-old Grecian festival.

Although the council as a whole stronglysupports the church, one member sympathizes withSt. Paul's neighbors.

"I think I was the only person on the councilthat had an iota of sympathy for these people,"said Council Member Henrietta Davis.

Davis wondered if the parties couldn't find acompromise.

"It makes sense to listen...and maybe make itbetter for one or both of them," Davis said.

Originally, the church ran the bellstwenty-four hours a day, but agreed to stop themcompletely from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

However, Crystal thinks the church has not beenresponsive enough.

"I have called them and they said they wouldtry to do something, but they haven't doneanything," Crystal said.

Monsignor Sheehan said the bells could not bemade to chime less frequently, but only shut offcompletely.

"You can stop them entirely or your can ringthem, but once you ring them you must ring them onthe quarter hour," Sheehan said.

For now, the decision is to let them ring.

Mayor Francis H. Duehay '55 said it is "likelythat the city will let the bells continue.