The Carillon at Kirk in the Hills
Reported by Erik Smith
Web produced by Christiana Ciolac

The Kirk in the Hills Presbytarian Church in Bloomfield Hills Video

The mystical bell sounds of the Carillon, the largest in the world can be found in Michigan.

It is the sound of a host of angels heralding glad tidings to a weary world for the silent sound of a gothic bell tower peering from the dusty novel pages. A sound of time past, time present and future times. It is the sound of the mighty magnificent bells.

"This is a medieval instrument, perfected over the years, and we are very fortunate to have the world's largest," said Dennis Curry.

The musical instrument stands alone in its worldly distinction as the largest one in number of bells ever created by the heart, mind and hands of man.

For over 40 years, it has been a sentinel, the symbol of Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church on Long Lake Road in Bloomfield Hills. Its 77 Dutch-made bells dominating the eye and ear from the ornate peak of its 130 foot tower of stone. If you listen, well, you can almost hear it forever as its guardian Dennis Curry knows too well.

Dennis Curry

"When I swing the bells, and depending on which way the wind is blowing they can extend for several miles. The sound waves from the bells actually go several miles away and carry on the wind."

It is not an easy journey to the tower's top. A series of narrow stone stairwells spiral upward to the staggered levels of the bells, the stairs finally leading to the cloistered console that contains a bewildering assembly of mechanical levers and pedals all that summon voice and order to the bells of the Kirk.

"I actually call this medieval aerobics because you get your exercise first from climbing to the top of these towers and then when you start playing the key board it's a very physical activity," Curry said.

The carillon is the largest in the world.

The inner workings of the instrument will almost always remind us of Quisimoto, but Hollywood and history fairly reflect each other accurately. When Dennis calls the bells to life it is an ode to joy, affirmation of living art and a triumph of human skill, old world craftsmanship and the acknowledged power of music to restore the soul.

Takes you back 500 years.

A piece of music

"It could, especially when you play some of this old music, to know it has been played for centuries, that it's a wonderful connection. I almost liken this a mystical, spiritual adventure, because you're creating sound and you think it's only you up there but of course the neighbors hear it."

Thankfully the liturgy of the instrument has not for the most part at least been to the ages. The works of the masters have been transposed and transcribed. They are not a dying breed, nor an endangered species, these rare musicians, just a stubborn, talented lot with bells instead of strings in their hearts.

"It's wonderful when you can create sound and it just rings out forever."

Go to the Kirk in the Hills website for more.

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