The bell from St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church has returned to its original home in Ladysmith, no longer ringing, but standing as a symbol of the town’s history.
Community members gathered on Sept. 12 to unveil the restored bell at Heart on the Hill, the affordable housing project built on the former church site. Hosted by the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association (LRCA) and the Ladysmith and District Historical Society, the event marked the culmination of a years-long promise to honour the church’s legacy.
“This historic bell stands as a symbol of community spirit,” said Ladysmith–Nanaimo MP Tamara Kronis. “May the sound of the St. John's bell continue to bring together neighbours and friends, strengthening the bonds that make Ladysmith such a vibrant community.”
The bell, now disabled to prevent damage, has been preserved as a historical monument. For 115 years, it called parishioners to worship, weddings, funerals and community events before the church was disestablished in 2016. Before the building was demolished in 2019, the bell was carefully removed and stored by the Ladysmith and District Historical Society.
The Heart on the Hill affordable housing development was built on the site and is operated by the LRCA. Its entrance is now home to the bell.
The Historical Society later restored the bell, built the stand and prepared the historical plaque now installed on site.
“Robin Fitzgerald replaced the rotten wooden crib with this beautiful yellow cedar here,” said Quentin Goodbody, the society’s president. “We strove to maintain the integrity of the bell, the heritage character of the bell, by not altering anything,” he said. “But at the same time making sure that wags couldn't come along at 3 o'clock in the morning and whack it, waking up the whole neighbourhood.”
Goodbody recalled a heart-stopping moment when the bell tipped toward the window, but they got it into place without disaster.
“In my childhood, this bell was a symbol of community, of belonging, of gathering together,” said Ladysmith Mayor Deena Beeston, who attended the church growing up. “I remember as a child running around outside and being called into service with the ringing of the bell. I remember a few occasions we would hear the bell ringing outside of normal service hours, and I'd catch my parents looking at each other, not understanding at that time the significance of the tolling. I'm so very happy to be a part of this dedication and to know that once again this bell will watch over us.”
A blessing was offered by Rev. Leslie Flynn of St. Philip Anglican Church in Cedar, which took in many St. John’s congregants after the church closed.
“As we recall that this bell has rung out over Ladysmith for over a century, calling people to worship, we also recognize that this bell expresses the joys and sorrows of the whole community, ringing out at times of celebration and times of sadness, both personal and national,” said Flynn.
The Glenora Handbell Choir, directed by Annette Lanson, performed two pieces: 'I Have a Dream' and a work by Irish composer Turlough O’Carolan, prompting applause from the appreciative crowd.
Past LRCA president Sandra Marquis, who helped spearhead the bell’s return, shared the story of the building and the promise made when the LRCA acquired the land.
“Part of that process was a commitment that we made, and we made it on behalf of the Ladysmith Resource Centre Association, that once the building was in place, some kind of memorial would be in place to recognize the existence of the church that had been here,” she said. “So, I'm really pleased, because that was 2017, that we've finally been able to do that and I'm really glad that there are people from the former St. John's who are here because it was really important for us to see that through.”
A plaque installed beside the bell details the full history of the site and of the bell itself, which was donated in 1904 by Mr. H. Marshall. It is now preserved as a tangible link between Ladysmith’s past and its evolving future.
