The bell tower, located on the north end of the new church, has four cast bronze bells, visible from the ground from any direction and heard for miles around.

For centuries, church bells have played a prominent role in the history of countries, communities, and places of worship throughout the world. Historically, church bells have served as timekeepers, used to mark the hour for work, prayer, and community gatherings. In addition, church bells today often ring to commemorate occasions and events. The melodious sound of cast bronze church bells is timeless. Enclosed in prominent landmark towers and steeples, church bells are known and recognized, both by sight and sound, as local fixtures — representing the enduring quality of community. (Verdin Bells)
 

The History of Bells
Bells have a rich history in the life of a church and community. Throughout history, cultures relied on bells to call them for work, prayer, meals, and rest. Bells were our first timekeepers as they rang out from churches. While bells no longer order our lives, bells have retained their place as a voice of the church, ringing out to the community by the calling of parishioners to worship, a custom to commemorate a wedding, as a toll to honor a deceased member, a call to prayer, and the sound of beautiful music.

Naming of the Saint Pius X Bells
Saint Pius X has installed four cast bronze bells for the new church ~ three large bells from a foundry which had never been installed and one new bell. 

There is an ancient tradition of naming bells and having them inscribed before installation. Our desire is to provide parishioners a historical reference with the names of these four bells.  Parishioners voted and the names are below:

Bell #1 (40” diameter, 1,350 pounds)
As is common tradition, this bell is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, as the bells are used to play the Angelus daily (noon & 6:00 p.m). Since our new church will be dedicated on March 25, 2017, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, the inscription for this bell will be:
     FRONT: OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION
     BACK: Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae
    (which translates to: the Angel of the Lord announced unto Mary)



Bell #2 (34” diameter, 778 pounds)
Inscriptions to the saints, notably to Saint Gabriel for the Angelus, are numerous. The Angelus reminds us of the Annunciation, when the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with great news ~ "Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." (Luke 1:28) The second bell will follow this tradition and will be named:
     FRONT: SAINT GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL
     BACK: Ave Maria, gratia plena
     (which translates to: Hail Mary, full of grace)


Bell #3 (31” diameter, 653 pounds)
Furthering our historical timeline, this bell will be named in honor of Pope Francis, the Pope at the time of dedication. With our bells blessed and installed during the Jubilee Year of Mercy, this bell will also honor a Saint of Mercy, as chosen by Saint Pius X parishioners.
     FRONT: HIS HOLINESS, POPE FRANCIS
     BACK: St. Teresa of Calcutta

• St. Teresa of Calcutta (patron of the poor, sick and dying) will be canonized September 2016. Moved to pursue missionary work, Mother Teresa officially established the congregation of the Missionaries of Charity in the Archdiocese of Calcutta in October 1950. Numerous awards, most notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, honored her work, 'for the glory of God and in the name of the poor.’

Bell #4 (26” diameter, 407 pounds)
The final bell ~ to be cast new ~ will be dedicated to our local Church leadership, inscribed with the name of the Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend at the time of dedication, and the name of a saint who is connected to our Diocese, as chosen by Saint Pius X parishioners.
     FRONT: BISHOP KEVIN C RHOADES
     BACK: Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC

• Blessed Basil Moreau, CSC (patron of religious education) is the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Reflecting his association’s zeal to make God known, loved and served, Moreau started sending members to other countries, including six brothers and Rev. Edward Sorin to the U.S., where in 1842, they founded the University of Notre Dame.