Chiming In:
To my friends in Christ at Salem,
Greetings and peace be with you. I have been tasked
with selecting one of my earliest memories of the Salem Carillon. As
I think back to my youth I can still remember being in awe of this
amazing device. As a boy growing up in the 60s, when I was around 8
years old and before the advent of IBM PCs, gaming systems,
I-Phones, I-pads, wireless phones, and the like, I was really
impressed by this machine. I can still remember thinking, “what an
amazing piece of equipment this is”. It was the most high tech
device ever. A little box situated in the heart of the church
between the altar and the Pastors office almost as if the church
itself was built around it carried such power. It was this little
glass door covered, glowing, intricate thing that was capable of
ringing the bells at the top of a huge steeple that seemed to reach
endlessly toward the heavens. The big people warned me that if I
even touched it I would be in such trouble. Yes, I said
ringing the bells. I know now that it is actually speakers, but as a
child my vision was groups of beautiful majestic brass bells of all
shapes and sizes situated high in the steeple anxiously waiting for
commands from this magical unit to sound off and create harmonies
that could be heard for miles. Why it could even tell time.
Amazing!
Later probably around 12 years old, I can remember
riding my bike up to a small New Augusta country store located on
what then was a two lane country road called 71st street
with nothing between Zionsville road and the store but woods and farms. I would ride
to the store under a strict deadline set by my Mom with the
threat of never getting to ride a bike
again if I didn’t get home at the prescribed time. While in New
Augusta I would listen for the Carillon to sound off on the hour.
By counting the single bell chimes and adding them up I could tell
time and stay on schedule.
These are my first memories of the Carillon I am
thrilled to hear you are thinking of re-instating its magical
powers. Good luck in your endeavors and I will look forward to
hearing that old but familiar sound of the “bells” of New Augusta
chiming proudly through the city.
Sincerely,
From your brother in Christ,
Dave Gooderum
I moved to Pike Township in 1994. I was invited to
attend Salem Lutheran after Carl Salberg cleaned my carpets. We came
the next Sunday and have been here ever since. When I parked my care
that Sunday, there was a beautiful chime that came out of the
steeple, that seemed to say “STAY.” Over the next few years I came
for children’s choir practice, I discovered the Carillon also played
hymns. It was nice and peaceful when they played. I do miss them. I
never got the opportunity to see Rhunell play the keyboard and would
love to witness that.
Stacey Parker
I don’t remember exactly when the bell chimes were
added to the New Augusta scene, sometime in the ‘60’s, I guess. The
chimes were immediately recognized as a great addition to the
community, striking on the hour and half-hour, from 8am to 8pm, with
carillon concerts at noon and 6PM. In those days New Augusta was
still very much a little village surrounded by farm fields, and the
bells seemed very right. I’m sure that the clock tower also made it
easier for parents to tell their sons when to be home, darn. I
have very fond memories of sitting on the Purdy girls front porch
with Mary Purdy, listening to the carillon concerts. Mary was a
gentle soul, and a great neighbor. I know she really enjoyed the
hymns the carillon played.
Mark Patty
