This month, four steeple/bell tower manufacturers gave us their "best tip" for churches, and they provided us with some great considerations to keep in mind as you evaluate and select a steeple and/or bell tower for your facility.

1. Keep in mind that a steeple or bell tower is designed for the sound of bells to ring out in the community. 
A traditional bronze bell requires a minimum of 5 feet square. When a bell is swinging, the bell produces vertical forces of 1.7 times its weight and horizontal forces of 0.65 percent of its weight. Therefore, a typical bell note "C" weighing approximately 600 pounds that has a 30-inch diameter requires a structure that will support approximately 1,000 pounds and would take horizontal forces of about 400 pounds in each direction. 

A digital system operating with custom loudspeakers also requires a minimum space of about 5 feet square but only 3 feet in height. Both systems require openings at the bell or speaker location. We prefer that such an opening be covered with screening instead of louvers, which tend to point the sound toward the ground. 

Another tip is that the tower or steeple height determines to a large extent how far the bell or chime sound will carry. Never install double closed louvers, or louvers that are closed, since the musical instrument in the tower will not carry into the surrounding community. 
-- van Bergen Company

2. Choose a steeple that fits the architectural style and size of your building.
A steeple is an investment that will guide people to your ministry and make a statement within the community. It is essential to make sure you choose a steeple that fits the architectural style and size of your building; you don't want a steeple that overpowers the building or a steeple that is so small it isn't even noticeable. There are many styles of steeples with a variety of accessories. Once you've determined the desired size and style, you will probably want to compare options from different companies. Make sure you are comparing "apples to apples" in size, quality, and features so that you get the best product for your money.
-- American Steeples & Baptistries, Inc.

3. Remember that most selections are based on a combination of three factors: budget, style and size.
Budget may be stipulated by a construction contract or handled by individual churches through a capital campaign or through a gift by a major donor. Style is an artistic and sometimes personal consideration. However, the steeple or cupola should complement your architecture. If your architect or building committee has a special design in mind, a custom steeple may be the answer. Finally, size of the steeple is critical to the visual effect of the building as a whole.  --Superior Fiberglass

4. Consider steeple color and customization.
To aid in your selection, think about the issues of steeple color and customization. For safety reasons, give thought also to lightning protection. Some insurance companies give a small discount for lightning protection. A "rule of thumb" for determining the size steeple for your church is to use a height approximately the same as the height from ground level to the roof ridge of your church. The width of the base should be approximately 1/10 the width of the church. Architectural style, design preference, and other special conditions must be taken into consideration in making your selection.
--Little Giant Mfg. Co.

Product Roundup

Schulmerich Bell Towers
Schulmerich can customize a bell tower to suit a congregation's traditions and symbols. Whether that means ringing cast bells or one of Schulmerich's customizable Generation 4 electronic carillons, the bell towers provide the perfect context for:

• Carillon music
• Calls to worship
• Celebrations
• Solemn occasions

A Schulmerich bell tower we can bring a new focal point to a church setting. 
www.SchulmerichBells.com

Little Giant
Each of Little Giant's steeples is made to order. A wide variety of custom options are available, including:

• Spire crosses
• Vented louvers
• Krinklglas windows
• Weathervanes
• Railings
• Applied accent moldings
• Decorative urns

Little Giant fiberglass steeples offer the beauty of a porcelain-like finish and come in a wide variety of designs.
www.little-giant.com

American Steeples & Baptistries
American Steeples & Baptistries, Inc. builds high quality fiberglass steeples and cupolas for churches with any budget.  Steeples and cupolas can personalized with:

• A variety of shapes, sizes and colors
• A number of louvers and glass options
• Decorative panels, crosses, and other accessories
• Custom fabrication

One of American Steeples & Baptistries' most distinctive options is the Lighthouse Steeple.  It looks like a modern-day lighthouse, its beam leading souls to the church. 
www.americansteeples.com

Van Bergen
The Van Bergen Company designs, builds and installs custom bell towers. In operation for 200 years, the company has worked with thousands of churches to provide just the right choice for their needs. Options for bell towers include:

• Bronze bells
• Digital bells
• Traditional masonry structures
• Modern steel structures

Honoring loved ones with a beautiful bell tower and bells is a permanent gift that will last for generations. Van Bergen will provide architectural renderings, followed by detailed working drawings for approvals prior to manufacturing and completion.
www.vanbergen.com

Munns Manufacturing
Munns Manufacturing specializes in aluminum steeples. The benefit of an aluminum steeple is that it is custom designed and individually built for your project. An aluminum steeple is:

• Lightweight
• Durable
• Pre-finished with KYNAR 500, which comes in a variety of colors
• Engineered to withstand wind loads in excess of 100 miles per hour

Your beautiful new steeple will hold up in almost any weather condition and keep looking like new, year after year with a minimum of upkeep.
www.munnsmfg.com

Superior Fiberglass
From classic to contemporary, a Superior steeple will create a striking view of your praise and worship facility to last through the years, while minimizing maintenance and cost. Steeples may be ordered with:

• Cross
• Lightning protection
• Non-venting or venting louvers
• Krinklglas windows
• Railing systems
• Applied moldings

And, Superior cupolas add both a touch of class and attractive character to building projects.
www.superiorfiberglass.com

Chime Master
Chime Master Systems has announced new automatic bell controls. 

• Solid State controls for 1 to 100 bells
• Includes liturgical bell ringing routines as well as time melodies and time notation
• Will play musical arrangements on suitable groups of bells
• GPS time Synch. Tower Clock interface. 

Chime Master will supply complete turnkey tower/clock/bell packages or will work with your architect/contractor to supply bells alone. Chime Master bell controls will retrofit to any existing bell ringers. 
www.ChimeMaster.com