For one-hundred years the Bells of St. James, Stratford's only chime of tower bells, have pealed from the tower of St. James' Anglican Church. The bells have presided over countless weddings and funerals, joyous occasions and somber occasions, civic events and church services; punctuating the memorable moments with their strident peals and solemn tolling through the decades.

     The story of the Bells dates back to 1870, when the handsome Gothic outline of the new church building rose on the hill. Unable to complete the planned tower at that time the parishioners of the day allowed for at least the base of a square tower to be built at the south-west corner of the new church. The tower proponents had to bide their time, for it would be almost 40 years before the tower would be completed.

     However, in 1906 local philanthropist William Battershall died, leaving $500 towards the purchase of a chime of bells. By September of 1909 the tower was completed to a height of 100 feet and a chime of eleven bells, complete with a tower clock, was installed. On Sunday September 26th, 1909 the Bishop of Huron, David Williams, dedicated them. He observed in his sermon: "The tower will remain a silent beauty...forever a silent unchanging joy. But the bells are different: they will compel your attention; they will not allow you to pass them; they will ring with you in sorrow and in joy."

     The St. James' Church bell chime was cast in 1909 by the Meneely & Company Bell Foundry in West Troy, New York. The Meneely foundry was considered to be "the Tiffany" of the bell trade, casting 179 chimes in the 19th and 20th centuries. A chime of bells is a North American phenomenon. By definition it consists of between 8 and 22 cast bronze bells hung dead and played from a standup console or "pump-handle chimestand". The chimestand is built of quarter-sawn oak and is connected to the inside bell clappers by a transmission of nickle-plated adjusting bars, wooden rods, leather straps and steel chain. The handles require only a light push to ring a note, and each handle moves through a 3 inch stroke before the clapper strikes the bell's sound-bow. It is possible to play changes at a sustained rate of 4 to 5 strokes per second, resulting in a good workout for the chimer! Because of the direct linkage the chimer can play with considerable expression and has infinite control over the dynamics of the music. In 1909 eleven bells was the standard for a new chime, and they allow for a reasonable variety of music to be performed. Today a new chime would contain fourteen or more bells, allowing more complex music to be played. Our chime was cast in the key of "E"; thus the notes available are: E, F#, G#, A, A#, B, C#, D, D# E and F#. All of the bells were “doubly-attuned” at the foundry on a vertical lathe by grinding the outer surfaces of each bell.

Upstairs the big E. Howard & Co. tower clock ticks on, ringing the hours and quarter hours each day. Much valued in 1909 as “Everyman’s Watch”, it is powered by 1,200 lbs. of hand-wound weights which descend in shafts to the bottom of the tower. At night a timed device stops the pendulum for exactly 12 hours. This effectively cuts the weight winding in half, and certainly helps maintain a friendly relationship with the neighbours.

     Today, the chime continues to play an active role in the life of the community and the parish. The bells still welcome worshippers with hymns and changes on Sunday mornings. The chime is played for weddings, funerals and civic functions. A Canada Day concert is played at noon on July 1st. Suitable music turns up on Robbie Burns' Day, Valentine's Day, Bastille Day, Mozart’s birthday, Remembrance Day and other occasions that seem to call for a little bell music to mark the event. Christmas bells are a must in December. Summer Pop Concerts are played on Tuesday & Thursday evenings at 7:00 pm June through September and on Tuesday & Thursday noon-hours the rest of the year.

     Today the Bells of St. James continue their musical journey, intertwined with the life of the parish and the community. They peal and clamour joyously without discrimination from the belfry to church-goers and casual passers-by alike, continuing their role as ambassadors to the bustling modern world that surrounds the quiet dignity of St. James' Anglican Church.