WINTER PARK, Fla. – It's a sight that is rarely seen or heard anymore-- real church bells ringing throughout cities signaling the start of services.
On Thursday afternoon St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park stuck with tradition and hoisted a 1,500-pound brass bell into a newly renovated tower.
Church leaders say the concept of a bell came about when renovations started earlier this year.
"Yeah, it's a big day and everybody is really excited. I mean we will see and hear this bell every single day as all the children are dropped off to school and as people come to Mass everyday," said church member Jeff Stingle.
The new bell was lifted into the new bell tower after it was made in France.
Church leaders say parishioners didn't want electronic bells with the renovations,so they took the necessary steps to make sure a real bell would ring from the top of the bell tower.
"It's a sign of welcome, that we are inviting people to always come back to us to come to the church. A time of prayer and a time of worship," said Deacon Bill Immes.
Church leaders say the bell will ring three to four times a day once installed.