St. Thomas’ Church, Whitemarsh

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St. Thomas’ Church, Whitemarsh

A 10-bell McShane chime was donated in 1913 by Sarah K. Hill in memory of her husband Erastus Hill.

A 48-bell Petit & Fritsen carillon was given in memory of Catherine Colt Dickey by her husband Charles Dickey and their children.

The carillon was dedicated on September 29, 1974 with a recital given by Janet Dundore.

References
1973 "Catherine Colt Dickey," Delaware Valley Daily Times, May 19, 1973, Page 4.

1974 "Dedication of Catherine Colt Dickey Carillon," The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 23, 1974, Page 12.

1975 "The Carillon of St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh, Pennsylvania," by Janet S. Dundore, Bulletin of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America 25:41-47 (May 1975)

The Carillon
High in the tower of St. Thomas’ is the carillon, consisting of four octaves (48) cast and tuned bronze bells. The bells are tuned harmoniously which permits them to be sounded together in chords. They vary in size and weight from the smallest of 24 pounds (7 1/2 inch diameter) to the largest bell, the “Bourdon”, weighing nearly 3,300 pounds with a diameter of 53 inches. The carillon bells were cast by the Dutch foundry, Petit and Fritsen.
The St. Thomas’ Carillon is a lasting memorial to Catherine Colt Dickey given by her husband and children. It was dedicated in 1974 and has been ringing its message for the parish and to the community continuously for over 25 years.

© 2023 Morris A. Pierce