Station 14
The Silent Bell (Meckering), Wesley Church Bell. Concept sketch for installation.
At 10.59 am on October 14, 1968 an earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale occurred near the small town of Meckering, 130 km east of Perth in Western Australia. It was one of the largest recorded earthquakes in the history of Australia. The quake was felt in Perth for just over 20 seconds—long enough to damage a number of the tall buildings in the city, including the Wesley Church. Post-quake inspections revealed the main spire had sustained structural damage, and the decision was made to replace the upper portion of the stone spire with a copper structure. It was also decided that the bell should be removed from the spire for safety reasons, and it has been earthbound since then.
By presenting the bell laid out on a linen cloth, I ask viewers to consider the temporary sepulchre of Christ. The body lay momentarily before the Resurrection. Likewise, the body of this mute bell holds the potential for a triumphant aural resurrection, a tocsin to connect Heaven with Earth and direct worshipers to this place of prayer and contemplation.
Meditation
The door is shut now,
and the world sighs and waits.
and we wait in night’s darkness,
longing for the morning,
longing for the light.
© Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill
Eggs and Ashes: Practical & liturgical resources for Lent and Holy Week.
Station Information
- Year: 2017
- Station Number 14
- Jesus is Laid in the Tomb (The Deposition or Lamentation)
- Exhibitor Gregory Pryor
Reading
Joseph placed the body in a tomb which had been dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were watching and saw where the body of Jesus was placed.
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