Designed and fabricated by parishioner Reg MacDonald, the bell tower houses the bell from the original St. Charles Catholic Church. The completed tower was erected by Bill Driscoll and Larry O'Shaunessey. The bell is now electrically and remotely rung to call the faithful to mass. At the base of the tower is a triangular stone planter supporting a triad of steel tubes which, in turn, support a central steel tube rising up to the bell and its housing. Much of the structure is rife with symbolism, which is explained below.
Bell Tower
According to MacDonald, the tripod and triangular base and bellhousing symbolize the Holy Trinity, the base of our Catholic faith. The two triangles of the base and bellhousing are offset to form a Star of David symbolizing the roots of the faith in the Old Testament. The bell itself is a symbol of the Word of God. The ringing of church tower bells summon the faithful to prayer and announce the Word of God.
The twelve-spoke wheel at the center of the tower symbolizes the twelve Apostles and was originally to be embolized with the phrase "Sursum Corda" which means "Lift up your hearts."
When the tower was complete it was erected by Bill Driscoll and Larry O'Shaunessey.
For the Diocese of Helena Millennium celebration, each church was asked by the Bishop to submit a quilt square representing their parish. Our own artist Tom Costich drew a likeness of the Bell Tower on our square and nimble fingered Jean Driscoll embroidered it for us. A great symbol of St. Charles Borromeo Parish!
In May and June of 2012, the brick base of the tower was removed due to deteriorating brick. New concrete caps and rock frontals were added. The upgrade was made possible through the generosity of a parishioner.
From SOURCE