The bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral are a unique part of Melbourne’s Catholic heritage, with a history spanning continents and centuries.
Bells have been a part of human culture for thousands of years. They originated in China around 800 BC, spreading to Europe by the 6th century AD. Pope Sabinianus officially introduced bells to the Catholic Church in AD 600, where they became a cherished part of worship and community life.
In the 19th century, when Bishop James Goold of Melbourne travelled to Europe in 1851, among his many acquisitions for the growing diocese were ‘a peal’ (or set) of eight bells cast by the renowned Murphy Bell Foundry in Dublin. These bells, with their sweet tone and intricate craftsmanship, were displayed at the famous Crystal Palace Exhibition in London before being shipped to Australia aboard the Lorina in 1853.
Originally intended for St Francis’ Church in Melbourne, the bells spent years in storage, waiting for a home. It wasn’t until 1868 that they were finally installed at St Patrick’s Cathedral, becoming a defining feature of Melbourne’s Catholic landscape.
The installation of the bells was marked by a grand celebration. On 29 November 1868, Bishop Goold blessed the bells in a moving ceremony attended by thousands. The bells, decorated with flowers and green branches, were consecrated with holy water, incense and chrism oil. Each bell was dedicated to a saint or sacred concept, such as the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Holy Trinity.
The bells were soon ringing out across Melbourne, becoming a cherished sound for the city’s residents. In 1869, advertisements called for skilled bellringers to join St Patrick’s, and in 1871, the Cathedral’s ringers began the tradition of ringing in the New Year. St Patrick’s became a hub for Australian bellringing, hosting notable events like the first-ever attempt at Grandsire Triples in 1883, a complex sequence of changes in bellringing.
The bells, which ring in an unusual anti-clockwise pattern, have been a point of pride for the Cathedral. In the late 19th century, St Patrick’s ringers played a significant role in establishing bellringing traditions in Australia.
By the mid-20th century, the bells faced significant challenges. The belfry was in disrepair, and the bells fell silent. However, as part of Australia’s bicentennial celebrations in 1988, the bells underwent a major restoration. They were sent to England, where they were repaired, given new headstocks and rehung in a modern, galvanised iron frame.
An Angelus bell, donated by an American benefactor, was also added to the collection. Today, the bells can be rung manually by bellringers or chimed electronically, ensuring their place in the life of the Cathedral for generations to come.
St Patrick’s Cathedral’s bells are thought to be the only surviving set of eight bells cast by the Murphy Foundry still in operation. With their rich history and distinct sound, they continue to inspire the people of Melbourne, having called generations of people to prayer and celebration.