http://candyleonard.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] candyleonard.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] davis_square2010-11-01 07:35 pm
Entry tags:

Church bells/chimes every 15 mins

I just moved from Davis to North Cambridge, a block from St. John the Evangelist Church on Mass Ave. Has anyone else noticed and/or been disturbed by the chimes that sound every 15 minutes, from 9am to 8pm every day - making it impossible to sleep past 9am or nap during the day?

[identity profile] icecreamempress.livejournal.com 2010-11-01 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. That church has chimes that sound every 15 minutes. Either you will get used to them, or you will find a way to soundproof your bedroom against them, or you will move; complaining will be useless because that church has been there for 100 years and includes among its congregants many politically very well-connected Cantabrigians.

[identity profile] icecreamempress.livejournal.com 2010-11-01 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
They also used to have a bas-relief swastika on the facade (which seemed like a fine idea in 1905, when the church was built, including it as a symbol of the deep spiritual truths of pre-Hindu Sanskrit philosophies) but they replaced it with another cross a while back.

[personal profile] ron_newman 2010-11-03 01:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Do you recall where this was and when it was removed? I thought I remembered it too, went back to look for it a few months ago, and didn't find it.

[identity profile] lauradi7.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 12:32 am (UTC)(link)
There are lots of people who keep time by that clock. I do when I'm in the area. So, noticed? Yes, for at least twenty years. Disturbed? No.

[identity profile] surrealestate.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 12:46 am (UTC)(link)
I used to live down the street from a tolling church and I found it quite soothing. I liked leaving my windows open to make sure I heard them.

So maybe you'll get used to it...

[identity profile] prunesnprisms.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 01:01 am (UTC)(link)
Not that this will help the OP, but I love the sound of it, it reminds me of my college campus that had chimes every 15 minutes all day.

[identity profile] dial-zero.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 01:22 am (UTC)(link)
I realized just the other day that I missed my college campus/workplace clock tower. I always (subconsciously) knew roughly what time it was!

[identity profile] curiositykt.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
agreed.

[identity profile] emcicle.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
agreed as well

[identity profile] grateful1311.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 01:29 pm (UTC)(link)
I just moved directly across the street from a church that tolls it's bells all day long. I thought it might disturb us due to the close proximity, but we actaully love it. And like others, I love the fact that I can keep time by the bells. =)

[identity profile] arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
This was one of my favorite things about living in Winter Hill, there were two churches that chimed with frquency and being near the top of the hill menat I could hear their placid tones simultaneously. I felt like I was in Munich!

[personal profile] ron_newman 2010-11-02 02:48 am (UTC)(link)
I live a block from that church and very much enjoy hearing its bells. I'd be sad if someone made them turn the bells off.
ursamajor: people on the beach watching the ocean (Default)

[personal profile] ursamajor 2010-11-02 02:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Me too.

For what it's worth, my husband is a light sleeper, and our bedroom window faces the church. Earplugs solve the problem.

You'll get used to it

[identity profile] spaz-i-mota.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
I did pretty soon after moving..now I actually use them to tell what time it when I go jogging...not too shabby
siderea: (Default)

[personal profile] siderea 2010-11-02 04:12 am (UTC)(link)
I'm also local to St. Paul's. I love the bells; once you learn the carillon patterns, you can tell time by it.

As a fellow late sleeper, I say to you: Flents(tm) brand Quiet Time Comfort Foam Ear Plugs. Accept no substitutes.

[personal profile] ron_newman 2010-11-02 11:08 am (UTC)(link)
I agree (re the carillon patterns) -- but it is St. John's, not St. Paul's.
siderea: (Default)

[personal profile] siderea 2010-11-02 08:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I blame the iPad.

[identity profile] maelithil.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
I live a block away and I love those church bells, I find them comforting. They remind me of my childhood; I grew up in Italy where church bells are just part of the urban background.

[identity profile] adaptively.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 05:15 pm (UTC)(link)
A fan or white noise generator should solve your inability to nap.

Growing to appreciate and be soothed by the tolling will solve your problem entirely, though. :)

[identity profile] littlecitynames.livejournal.com 2010-11-02 10:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I live within hearing distance of those too... they're a minor annoyance when I'm running late, but I've mostly grown used to them within the two months I've been here :)

[identity profile] syntheticnature.livejournal.com 2010-11-03 01:44 am (UTC)(link)
I live a couple of blocks away and got used to them pretty fast. I definitely don't love them, but they're a minor annoyance. Ever-so-slightly less minor when they are out of sync with Daylight Saving Time.

[identity profile] madscientist01.livejournal.com 2010-11-05 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I lived at the corner of Haskell & Mass Ave, on the same block as that church. I never really noticed the bells unless I was already awake, and actually I thought the sound was quite nice. I can see how it would make napping difficult, but so does my job.