Tis a Gift to be Simple

A Philadelphia City Council committee approved a bill recently to exempt church bells from the city’s noise statues. And boy, am I glad.

I love hearing the carillon of historic Christ Church on Sunday mornings.

Some folks near The Old City landmark might not appreciate “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” or some other Protestant tune interrupting their extra winks on the weekend. But it’s those who stay in bed late that I also have to thank for contributing to the serenity of the moment.

Few people are on the street at 8:30 on a Sunday morning on N. Second St and traffic is almost non-existent.

A dog being walked, a man reading the paper on a bench, a jogger on the move and birds chirping in the trees are often the extent of the stirrings.

It’s a highlight of my week to listen to the bells and slowly walk along the cobblestone streets behind the church where Ben Franklin and other important men and women of the American Revolution worshipped. It’s such a satisfying moment of peace and reflection.

Give it a try the next time you’re in Old City on a Sunday morning. 

Hopefully, the mayor and the full council will go along with the committee’s recommendation that church (and school) bells not be officially subject to the city’s noise restrictions.  Let this simple pleasure continue unabated.