Father John Job and the staff of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church are very appreciative for the outpouring of support and prayers from not only our parishioners, but also the community.
Many people have reached out to us in regard to donating for the restoration of the Church. If you would like to make a donation, you can mail a check to Most Blessed Sacrament Church, 787 Franklin Lake Road, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417. Please make sure to specify "MBS Restoration" on your donation.
Thank you.
BELLS HEAD SOUTH FOR THE SUMMER
July 3, 2022
The Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry will be on our campus the week of July 4th.
The Foundry has been charged with safely removing the three bells in the tower and transporting them for storage at the Foundry which is located in Charleston, South Carolina. While there, new electromagnetic bell strikers will be precisely installed.
The three large cast bronze bells were purchased by Most Blessed Sacrament in the summer of 1980 in preparation for the 1981 dedication of the former church.
The bells were originally a part of Saint Alphonsus Church on West Broadway in lower Manhattan. That church was going to be demolished since it was determined that the building was structurally unsound.
The history of the three bells dates back to 1875 when they were cast at the Meneeley and Kimberly Foundry in Troy, New York. Our records indicate that the bells weigh 550 pounds, 800 pounds, and 1,000 pounds!
We look forward to the bells being reinstalled at MBS in a new tower structure to make a “joyful noise unto the Lord” anew!
July 17, 2022
It was over in a matter of minutes!
On Thursday, July 7, the team from the Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry removed the three cast bronze bells from the church tower and secured them for their long trip to South Carolina. Remarkably, given the fact that the bells weighed over 2300 pounds collectively, the process of removing them took no more than twenty minutes, though securing them to the flatbed truck for transport required took a bit longer. Still, everything was ready to go in an hour.
All of the bells bear different inscriptions which date back to their original installation at Saint Alphonsus Church in Manhattan. Records from the Meneeley and Kimberly Foundry in Troy, New York, indicate that there were originally five bells cast for Saint Alphonsus. The whereabouts of the other two is unknown.
MBS’s bells will be outfitted with new electromagnetic strikers, and then stored at the Foundry until they are ready for installation in our new church. Safe travels.
August 7, 2022
You may recall reading in the July 3rd and 17th bulletins that our three church bells are “safe and sound” in their temporary home at the Christoph Paccard Bell Foundry in Charleston, South Carolina. While there, the bells will be cleaned and updated with new electromagnetic strikers. The bells will remain in Charleston until we are ready to insert them into the new bell tower, which will be incorporated as part of the main entry plaza of our new church.
As the beginning of the construction of the new church is imminent, it is now time for the bell tower to be removed. The work will be taking place very soon. We wanted to make you aware of this as you will see some activity on the site.
In a very short time, we will be presenting the parish with a comprehensive update concerning the exciting news about the next steps in the rebuilding of the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament. In addition, we will have on display several poster boards depicting both the interior and exterior views of the new worship space. You can “tour” these images before or after the Mass you attend on the weekend. They are very impressive.
With your support and encouragement, I have no doubt that we will continue to see the light of God’s divine grace shine in the work that lies ahead. Mary, our Good Mother, pray for us.
August 14, 2022
We continue to make strides in the re-building of our worship space. As we indicted last weekend, the work on the removal of the bell tower has started (or will start shortly).
You will also notice some additional activity in the parking lot. During these weeks, large containers and a trailer will arrive in our parking lot in order to store necessary materials, equipment and supplies for the beginning phases of the construction of our new church. The construction company will also be setting up a “staging area” in one section of the parking lot. The company hopes to “inconvenience” us as little as possible, but it is an inconvenience worth undertaking in order for us to build our new church.
Stay tuned for a comprehensive update on the building project, as well as renderings of the interior and exterior of the new church which will be on display for you to “tour” when you attend weekend Mass.