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November 27, 2007
Time on the Roof
I notice that McKendree Memorial United Methodist Church on Portland Blvd. has installed four loudspeakers on their roof. At the top of every hour, the loudspeakers play the "Big Ben" chimes followed by the hour (e.g., at 10 o'clock there are 10 "bongs"). I'm just curious to hear peoples' opinions on this. Is it a good thing? A bad thing? What do the neighbors think?
Actually, this raises some interesting philosophical issues. What if the church played Christmas carols all day? What if a "new-generation" church played rap music over their loudspeakers. What if a mosque called people to prayer five times per day over their loudspeakers in Portland? What would the reaction of neighbors be if an individual placed loudspeakers on his roof?
Actually, not much is happening on the blog this week, and I thought this might be a fun topic!
Posted by admin at November 27, 2007 2:41 PM
Comments
I heard someone else say today how beautiful the music is at the church and how nice it was to hear it in the neighborhood.....the closer it gets to Christmas, it's especially nice.
Posted by: DeeAnna at December 13, 2007 8:32 PM
I think it would be a wonderful idea to let Christmas Carols play!! I think it would make more people jolly around this time of year.
Posted by: Christy Laster at December 11, 2007 2:33 PM
Was visiting some friends today out by the airport and could hear the church bells chiming even from out there!
Posted by: MDL at December 4, 2007 7:06 PM
I never really thought about it until I went to Boston a few years ago and heard the bells at a church there. Automatically I thought how great that would be here! I'm glad they've done it, it makes the area more homey and quaint... I just wish I still lived in the neighborhood to hear it!
Posted by: ME at December 2, 2007 1:37 AM
I grew up in a small town that the chruch bell chimed every hour on the hour during day light hours, with a longer song at noon. It was wonderful. Hadn't thought about it much until I read this thread, it brought back some wonderful memories!
Posted by: MDL at December 1, 2007 12:34 PM
Sounds like the bells are a great success! The church in Epworth, GA where I am from had bells that rang @ noon. Currently I live in Gallatin. I may go to Portland in the near future just to hear them and travel back in time a little.
Posted by: Freida Wiley at November 29, 2007 10:22 PM
I too think the sound of church bells is wonderful. They have a calming affect and provide a feeling of stable comfort. I hope the church keeps it up! Good for them!
Posted by: gw at November 29, 2007 7:53 PM
My husband's parents live in Pennsylvania and they live close to a church with a bell and it is beautiful. I haven't heard McKendree's version, but I'm sure it will be easy to get used to and well liked by it's neighbors. What a wonderful idea!
Posted by: Michelle Hanners at November 28, 2007 12:39 PM
It was so pleasant to hear I was shocked when I went to check my mail and heard the bells. It was beautiful....
Posted by: ara at November 28, 2007 11:42 AM
I grew up in the north. The small town that I am from had only Catholic churches in it. At noon, everyday, they had chimes, or bells that would ring. I would love to hear the Methodist church. I think it would remind me of my childhood.
Posted by: hello at November 28, 2007 10:43 AM
I live on High Street and I have been hearing the bells and the songs....I think it's beautiful to hear them ...it lends a peaceful, serene atmosphere to the neighborhood ! I hope it will continue year round -- it's beautiful ! I think the songs are at noon only...I love it !
Posted by: DeeAnna at November 27, 2007 5:46 PM
I went by there the other day while it was going off, while it is a little loud if you are right up next to it, I actually thought it was very nice, and I hope they keep it up, although I do hope it doesn't go off at night.
Posted by: JW at November 27, 2007 5:27 PM
My question would be what is the purpose of this?
If the volume was loud enough to hear inside my house I'd be ticked to say the least. I don't think that'll be the case being 500 miles away. ;-)
Posted by: jwmason at November 27, 2007 3:38 PM