Authentic bells will not be ringing out from a Telford church after fears the momentum could destroy the building’s tower.
Rev Henry Morris, from St Michael’s Church in Madeley, has revealed a recording of the church’s bells will continue to be used instead of restoring historic bells.
The church was built by Thomas Telford in 1796 and the decision was made after fears the momentum of the original bells could crack the church tower.
Rev Morris said: “We have made a decision not to ring them. With any structure like that if you have something moving at a high-level momentum down the tower that causes cracks.
“We have got a good recording of the bells which we recorded some time ago.
“It is very effective and people say it is nice to still have the bells ringing.
“The bells are still there we just don’t ring them.”
Shelagh Lewis, who runs the Living History Group, said: “I think it is a shame they won’t be restored as they are part of the story of the building but on the other hand the building has to be restored as it has got to be useable – so it is swings and roundabouts.”
In May this year the church saw its £500,000 revamp completed bringing it into the 21st century.
Over eight months under-floor heating, radiator heating, new toilets, including disabled facilities and a new kitchen was built into the nave of the church. The original metal framed windows were also refurbished and refitted and the entire building was rewired with a new lighting systems.
