Bells rang out Tuesday evening from the Van Leer Memorial Bell Tower in Normal for the first time in several decades.
The North Italian Romanesque-style tower stands on the property of the Broadview Mansion that was built in 1906. The Edwardian-style mansion was named "Broadview" by its original owners, Bird and Margaret Van Leer, for the "broad view" of Normal they had.
Today, it serves as the home of the Immanuel Bible Foundation [IBF] — founded by Margaret Van Leer in 1944 — at the corner of South Fell and Highland avenues.
The Van Leer Memorial Bell Tower was built at the request of Margaret Van Leer in honor of Bird, who passed away in 1933 from pneumonia.
The tower was completed in 1940 and rises 110 feet. A spiral staircase of 100 steps leads to the top. At the time, the tower cost $40,000 to build — equivalent to $1 million today. It is recognized by the National Register of Historic Places as the only privately-owned bell tower in the United States.
During its early days, the tower echoed music twice a day with bells installed by the Meneely Bell Company from Troy, New York. The company is known for its creators’ ancestors who created the first bells ever made in the U.S.
An Illinois Wesleyan University School of Music student, James M. Winn, was the first musician hired to ring the bells after the tower was built. Winn was later replaced by a second musician, Raymond Olson, who rang the bells until 1979.
At the celebration on Tuesday, Annette Klinzing, executive director of Broadview Mansion, gave a speech in recognition of Olson.
“Raymond and his wife, Dorothy, had four children — Jim, Barb, Ellen and Martha — who fondly remember playing on the grounds where their father performed. Even after Margaret passed away in 1949 at the age of 79, Raymond continued to honor her vision and legacy through his daily playing,” said Klinzing, adding Olson's "dedication and artistry left a lasting impression that continues to resonate with us.”
After Olson stopped operating the bells in 1979, they were removed later that same year and replaced with an audio system with poor sound quality, leaving the bell tower to stand idle — without any music— until this week.
The tower will now play music twice daily, as it did originally, from an electronic carillon donated by the Town of Normal.
Tuesday’s celebration included music from the Twin Cities Brass Quintet and speeches from members of the IBF board. Descendants of Bird and Margaret Van Leer also were in attendance.
IBF board member David Strand was given a Distinguished Service Award for his work with the organization as he approaches retirement. Strand was credited with helping with construction and maintenance of the Broadview property.
“Dave is the IBF; he epitomizes what the board is after, what they’ve done [and] what they’ve tried to do going forward over the last 12 years,” said IBF president Peter Brandt.
Strand attributed his success to help from God, members of the IBF board and the town council.
Attendees were able to explore the inside of the bell tower following the remarks. Old photographs of Bird and Margaret Van Leer and the property were available for viewing.
Eight hymns were played from the tower following the celebration, several of which also played on Sept. 29, 1940, when the first dedication ceremony was held. At the time, more than 1,500 people attended.
“We are incredibly grateful for the legacy and forward-thinking spirit of Margaret Van Leer. I truly believe Mrs. Van Leer is looking down upon us with joy knowing that her bell tower is no longer silent,” Klinzing said.
