Since its construction in 1872, Saint Barbara Church has captivated visitors with the richness of its interior décor and the elegance of its architecture. Yet one symbolic dimension has long been missing: the sound of bells, that voice which traditionally accompanies the life of a place of worship. The recent acquisition of a carillon should soon fill this gap and mark a long-awaited milestone in the history of the building.
An absence with historical roots
For historical reasons, the installation of bells had not been possible during the church’s original construction. When the restoration and rehabilitation programme was launched in 2017, the acquisition of a carillon was integrated into the overall works schedule. Steps were taken with the Cantonal Department of Historical Monuments and the City of Vevey Services to obtain the necessary authorizations.
A rare opportunity, seized without delay
Finding bells that conform to Orthodox tradition in Western Europe is a genuine challenge. The Foundation therefore remained attentive to the rare opportunities that might arise. Recently, Maksim Groh offered to sell the Foundation his small mobile carillon. This is the instrument with which he had given a concert in the church garden on 19 May 2019. Faced with this unique opportunity, the Foundation decided to proceed with the acquisition without delay.
Next steps
The carillon is currently stored in a room in Vevey, awaiting its permanent and definitive installation. The location within the church garden is yet to be determined as part of an architectural project subject to approval by the City of Vevey Services. This process will still take some time. To get a sense of this carillon’s sound, listen here to the recording of the 2019 concert: Listen to the concert →