When the First-Plymouth Congregational Church carillon tower was dedicated in 1930, the bell tower was considered community-owned.
Now, almost a century later, the bell tower is seen as a way to foster community during a time when being social is discouraged because of coronavirus.
"Carillon in the Car" — an event the church at 2000 D St. hosted Saturday and will host again Wednesday at 6 p.m. — may just be the thing that surpasses all the rules and regulations suspending everyday life.
For those who don't know what a carillon is, it's a musical instrument of at least 23 bells that are controlled by a carillonneur who uses either a console or a keyboard. The instrument originated in northwestern Europe, and town carillonneurs used to play on holidays and market days.
Though Wednesday isn't a holiday (unless you observe National French Bread Day), the First-Plymouth carillonneurs felt now was a time their services were needed.
While listeners who are practicing social distancing aren't able to leave their cars to enjoy the music right now, there isn't actually a need to.
The bells, which can be heard from miles away when there isn't much noise pollution (and there's much less of that nowadays), are meant to be heard outside. If it was warmer, people would sit in the courtyard of the church.
On Saturday, the audience sat silent in their cars listening to hymns and melodies — from "Twinkle Twinkle" to "From Sea To Shining Sea."
Even the birds, who at first seemed accosted by the chimes, slowly perched on top of the bell tower — the best seat in the house.
Parents and church-goers used the power of organization and government connections to get their kids out.
High up in the 171-foot Singing Tower of First-Plymouth Church, carillonneur Brent Shaw performs a 30-minute concert of hymns and well-known melodies for local residents below Saturday. The carillon consists of 57 bells, the smallest weighs 30 pounds and the largest is 5,000 pounds.