1 ton weight historic bell hung inside iconic Red Church in Vadodara

Still in use carrying the legacy and tradition.

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The entire nation is in festive mood to celebrate Christmas and welcome the new year with open arms. Vadodara is also not behind and welcoming the celebration along with it's rich history.

One such history is associated with the Centenary Methodist Church which is also known as Red Church situated in the popular Fatehgunj area of the city. Not many people knows about the history of the Church and the one ton weight bell hang atop it carrying the rich history behind it.

The Church was made with Gothic style of architecture without using a single iron road. The bell hung atop has its own resemblance and till date its in use. Be it happy moment or a sad one like any member who died there is a tradition to ring the bell and the age old ritual is still in practice.

Every Sunday during the prayer inside the Church and both birth and death the bell rings as per the tradition. The bell is around 1 ton in weight and the sound spreads upto 15kms. However now the bell rings in low sound and it's range reduced to 5kms as per the developing city and the population. As per the old saying the bell dates back to Gaekwadi rule in Vadodara and the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad once give 21 Canon salute to the bell after heard it's sound.

The Church was built in between 1906 to 1908 and the bell was among the three brought from outside by the missionaries. The bell here was placed in 1908 atop the Church and due to its heavy weight elephant and rope were used to place it. The rope was then stretched upto Kamatibaug garden to place the bell atop 80foot above height inside the Church.

The bell is made of Silver and a carpenter named Dayjibhai Suthar designed the wooden frame for the bell. The Church is also known as Red Church and during Christmas the aura of it is mesmerising.