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AUBURN — In October 1916, four bells cast in the world-famous Paccard Bell Foundry of Annecy, France, were blessed and raised skyward into the grand gothic tower of St. Louis Church in Auburn. Perched in the church tower, the bells touched the lives of thousands of individuals and families for almost 100 years.
The Catholic Diocese sold the bells when the church was decommissioned in 2003, but a small group of local residents successfully endeavored to keep them. Through the generosity of the community, the bells were purchased and preserved.
On Tuesday, June 25, Auburn’s Bells of St. Louis Committee will host a Celebration and Fundraising Kick-Off event at Anniversary Park. The public is invited at 5 p.m. for music and light refreshments; a ceremony will follow at 6 p.m..
Attendees will be able to view the future site of a new tower for the bells, buy commemorative bricks and/or donate to the bell tower project, and learn more about the New Auburn Village Center Plan.
The treasured bells will soon be on permanent display in a beautiful, new tower to be erected in Auburn’s Anniversary Park (formerly “Little Andy” Park in New Auburn). The bell tower, which will stand at 40 feet, 9 inches, will display all four bells and will anchor the New Auburn Village Center Plan, a multiple-phase improvement plan focusing on the riverfront between Mill and Broad streets in New Auburn.
“This tower will be the second-tallest monument in Maine,” said Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque. “It will be a true and lasting symbol of the heritage and history of Auburn, and it will stand as a symbol of the vibrance and resurgence of our city as we head into our next 150 years.”
“Our new bell tower will grace this gateway to our city for decades to come,” said Levesque, “and these historic bells that mean so much to us will ring us into the next 150 years.”
Tax-deductible gifts in any amount are welcome. Donors should visit www.Auburn150.com to learn more about the “Raising the Bells” campaign or to purchase commemorative bricks. All proceeds from the sale of the bricks will support the bell tower project. A commemorative brick will be placed in Anniversary Park in honor of donors who give $1,000 or more to the campaign.
