A significant piece of New Brunswick’s church heritage has been partially recovered, though its condition is far from ideal. Fredericton police located a section of a large and weighty bell from St. Peter’s Anglican Church, discovered destroyed in a ditch following a tip from a member of the public, as per a statement on the force’s Facebook page. The historic bell, previously secured at ground level at the church on Woodstock Road, was stolen during the early hours of December 29.
The bell has origins tracing back to England before the arrival of the Loyalists in New Brunswick, bearing a distinct stamp from 1825. Ross Hebb, the former minister of the church, mentioned that authorities contacted him to report the recovery of a portion of the bell, which is now in their possession for further evaluation. He expressed hope that the remaining parts of the bell will be found in better condition.
Reflecting on the situation, Hebb conveyed a mix of disappointment and astonishment at the theft, describing it as a sorrowful event in the life of the parish and a reflection of societal challenges. He emphasized the weight of the bell, estimated to be several hundred pounds and predominantly crafted from brass. While Hebb has not physically seen the recovered bell segment, he viewed a photograph of it on social media.
The prospect of salvaging and restoring the bell hinges on factors such as cost assessments and decisions regarding its future display location. Hebb contemplated potential scenarios, including whether the bell should be returned to its original site with a sign acknowledging its history of theft and indicating its lack of monetary value.
Hebb expressed a desire for accountability for those responsible for the theft and hoped that they will be identified and held responsible for their actions. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.