Martha Wood, Organist and Music Director at Patton United Methodist Church was approached in 1993 by Bobbie and Don Kennedy with an offer to donate a set of White Chapel Bells to the church. They said they would gladly give the handbells if they would be used. This was the challenge Martha needed to begin a new venture in church music. With no background in ringing the offer was accepted, volunteers applied, and they began learning. The handbell choir at Clayton United Methodist Church served as mentor and advisor.

The choir practices and performs year-round and their joy in music is evident in all their performances. "The Kennedy Bells" add to the morning services at Patton Church and on special occasions at the church. They accept invitations by interested groups.

None of the Patton Church musicians or directors are professionals and they receive no renumeration. They enjoy sharing their talents, and as Martha says "We just enjoy music".

The White Chapel Handbells now owned by Patton Church are considered the finest made. They were cast in the White Chapel Foundry located in London, England. This foundry has an unparalleled tradition of bell-making craftsmanship. Tracing its lineage back to at least 1420 the Foundry's business is solely the manufacture of bells, large ones for ringing peals in church towers, single tolling bells, carillon bells and handbells for tune and change ringing. Among their famous are London's "Big Ben" and the original Liberty Be11(1752). Other foundries cast Handbells but White Chapel is considered preeminent.

Patton Church is most fortunate to have bells from the world famous foundry. As far as known there is one other set of White Chapel Handbells in North Carolina - in Greensboro.

Handbell ringing was developed in Europe as a way to practice ringing full-size church bells without disturbing the populace. In America the practice is relatively new. It has grown in popularity since The New England Guild of Handbell Ringers was formed in 1937, and the American Guild in 1954.

Martha Wood made it clear to volunteers from the very beginning that being in a handbell choir is a privilege and that with most privileges there are responsibilities. She set up rules which she said are standard expectations of any bell choir.

Some of her rules are:

• Attendance at all rehearsals and performances.

• Ringers assist in getting bells, equipment and music out and putting it away. Ringers stand for rehearsals and performances, are not permitted to chew gum nor "play with" bells.

• Gloves are always worn when performing or handling. Ringers should respect the value of the bells.

• She tempered her expectations by stating "These rules may sound harsh, but in a handbell choir the presence, or absence, of each member, as well as their attitude and behavior affects other members." There is no dress code and no uniform, "Sunday Best" is the accepted attire.

Patton United Methodist Church is a small country church with an average worship attendance of about 75. It is a church with a history. Established in 1892, the original white frame structure was rebuilt and remodeled and enlarged prior to the Centennial Celebration in 1992.

The beauty of the interior, bathed with glowing color from the stained glass windows, provides a perfect setting for the Handbell Choir. The vibrancy of color is due in part to the fact that the semi-abstract designs are crafted from imported hand-made German stained glass. The windows memorialize the founders of the church and other long-time members. Windows in the sanctuary tell the life of Christ beginning with The Annunciation and ending with The Ascension.

The windows were designed and executed by Nancy and Gene Cottrell of Allen Mountain Studios in nearby Otto.

Most often the choir performs in the sanctuary but at times the blue draped tables are set up in the Commons Room in front of the imposing eight by ten foot memorial window with the lesson from the Prophet Isaiah: "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength .."

In addition to the rules for the performers, there are rigid rules for the bells. Handbells are precise musical instruments They must be played on tables with pads about eight inches thick. Gloves are worn to protect the bells from contamination. Black gloves may be used for practice but always white for performances. The bells have special boxes for storage, they are sent for cleaning from time to time but White Chapel bells never need tuning.

From the beginning Martha and the choir were determined that the novelty of the bells would not wear away. After a year or two of frustration in moving and setting up large folding tables, funds were found for individual folding tables about the size of card-tables and light enough for any member to handle. Light weight styrofoam pads are standard equipment. Since the sanctuary of Patton Church has red carpet and pew cushions, blue was chosen for table -covers and snap-on drapes.