On Sunday mornings, hymns can now once again be heard from the historic bell tower of Pittman Park United Methodist Church on Fair Road.

From 10:30 a.m. until the start of the traditional service at 11:00 a.m., the congregation will be serenaded. The melody will reach neighbors and passers-by beyond the church grounds.

Rev. Dr. Jonathan Smith, pastor of Pittman Park, said, “Using our bell tower is a unique way to invite people to worship and to signal joy and hope to those around us. It has been a long journey, but thanks to the Memorial Committee and some generous donors, we were able to complete this project.”

The bell tower was built in 1956 along with the original sanctuary, but has not been in use for several decades. To make it operational again, the parish installed new equipment on top of the tower.

Instead of ringing physical bells, the tower transmits from the organ in the nave. The parish has also installed computer software that can control the organ automatically, so the instrument can be heard even when there is no organist there to operate it manually.

August 4 was the opening Sunday for both the bell tower and the new automatic organ.