Central United Methodist Church

Links to Carillon Inventories
GCNA	Tower Bells	Bok Tower Gardens

Retired daily owner and church member H. Chris Hansen donated a 36-bell carillon to the Central Methodist Church. The bells were cast by Petit and Fritsen of the Netherlands and were dedicated on December 23, 1951 by Wendell Westcott, carillonneur at Michigan State University.

References
1951 "The Onlooker," Lansing State Journal, December 8, 1951, Page 2.
Installation of new carillon

1951 "Central Methodist," Lansing State Journal, December 22, 1951, Page 7.
Dedication of new carillon

1952 "H. Chris Hansen," Lansing State Journal, September 13, 1951, Page 2.
Member of the Central Methodist Church.

1966 "Music of the Bells," Carillons Peal Out Distinctive Melodies In Downtown Lansing, on MSU Campus," Lansing State Journal, April 10, 1966, Page 17.
The donor is H. Chris Hansen of 1015 Durant St.

1970 Hans Chris Hansen (13 Sep 1878 - 3 Jan 1970) grave

History of Lansing Central United Methodist Church
Christopher Hansen Memorial Carillon
The carillon, containing 36 bells, was donated by Christopher Hansen, and was dedicated on December 23, 1951. The bells range in weight from 760 lbs. to 9 lbs. The cost, including installation, was $6,000. Wendell Westcott, organist at Central UMC, and MSU carillonneur from 1947‐1985, rang the inaugural concert. Mr. Westcott is credited for his selection of a true carillon, and not an electronic mechanism. The bells were poured at the Petit and Fritsen foundry in the Netherlands, in existence since 1660. The carillon was developed in the 15th‐16th centuries in the Netherlands, Belgium and northern France. There are over 160 carillons in the United States, with twelve in Michigan, six in churches and six in university and other settings.