Tour of St. Peter's - Bell Tower and Cornerstones

A freestanding bell tower dominates the exterior of the New Saint Peter’s. Called a “campanile” in Italian Renaissance church design, the tower is crowned by an encircled cross, symbolic of the world (circle) for which Jesus died on the cross. The tower’s height and the sound of bells produce both a visual and audible sign of the presence of a Christian community, and calls that community to prayer.

The tower contains one bronze bell as well as a Verdin electronic carillon. The bell was cast in 1899 by the Meneely Bell Company of Troy, New York, and weighs about 1100 pounds. The tower is 67 feet in height.

Cornerstones

To the right of the main entrance doors are two cornerstones: the original one from 1952, and a new cornerstone, with a design of intertwined cross and the year 2000 AD. The new stone contains memorabilia of our time. A cornerstone in a church has special significance, since it recalls the words of 1 Peter 2:6-7, in which Jesus is called a “cornerstone, chosen and precious.”

Church Doors

Highly symbolic, the entrance doors of a church welcome all who enter and recall one’s entrance into the Church in Baptism. These doors, which are essentially all glass, create a welcoming entrance and visually unite the world and the church. Church doors recall Jesus’ reference to himself: “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” (John 10:9)

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