The Calling Chimes of Community

The day after I moved to New York, two years ago, I was instantly overwhelmed by the buildings, the compact, concrete jungle, and the massive amounts of people. Coming from a small town in Idaho, I had never encountered anything like the Big Apple, let alone dreamed of a world that was as fast paced and demanding as that of Manhattan. Taken aback by the overbearing presence of the city, I began looking for places, objects, and even smells that could remind me of home. While venturing along 2nd avenue, for at that time I lived on the East side, I came across the Roosevelt Island tram. Curiosity then set in. What was Roosevelt Island? How come I had never heard of it? Was it another borough? One thing led to another, and I found myself sandwiched between thirty other people in a bright, shiny, red cable car that was taking me across the East River. Five minutes later, I was standing on the edge of Roosevelt Island looking across the water at the enormous city that I would call my new home for the next four years.

There was something about Roosevelt Island that intrigued me. Maybe it was the fact that hardly any people were there, or maybe it was because I was not haunted by the sounds of sirens or honking car horns. The thing that I loved the most was the fact that I could see the sky. The fact that I could look ahead and see trees, animals, and land that was not obstructed by daunting skyscrapers granted me a sense of calmness and tranquility. I had found my place of refuge. From that day forward, whenever life got bogged down by high expectations or social obligations, work, or school, I could temporarily escape the confinement of New York City, and retreat to a place that would allow me to unwind, relax, and give me the chance to take a breathe of fresh air. To this day, Roosevelt Island has remained my favorite place in New York.

After two years of exploring the small community of Roosevelt Island, I have become familiar with the buildings, the businesses, and even the people. However, it wasn't until recently that I became educated with the town's history. It is this history that makes Roosevelt Island what it is today. The history unites old and new traditions, tying together treasures from the past to the progressions of today. This history can be represented by an object that sits within the middle of the island. It is an object that I have passed by many times without taking a second glance at. This object, this representation of community, this religious artifact is the old, bronze bell that once sat high in the tower of The Chapel of the Good Shepherd.

This bell holds a lot of history, depicting the lives of those who once lived on the island, as well as the lives of those who currently reside there. The build, the placement, and its purpose provides a religious presence that encapsulates past and present times of acceptance, community, and refuge.
It was cast in 1888 by the Meneely Bell Foundry in Troy, New York. The birthplace and the composition of this particular bell holds substantial significance for its placement and use. Being made of bronze, the sound it produced was heard from anywhere on the island. When it chimed, people were called together to unite and worship. The bronze also symbolizes not only the strength of the bell, but also the strength of the community. Even after a century of being exposed to the changing times and the outdoor elements, the bell still remains strong without any cracks. The same can be said for the community, especially the religious community, of Roosevelt Island. The fact that it was made in New York can also symbolize the importance of local community.

In 1889, when the bell was placed in the tower at The Chapel of The Good Shepherd, the island was used as a holding place for those considered "undesirable" or extremely sick. It was home of the insane asylum, the prison, and a hospital. The mentally disabled, the criminals, those inflicted with small pox, and the extremely poor found themselves relocated to Roosevelt Island. Although they were segregated from the city, these people found solidarity and purpose within the halls of the chapel. While many could not physically go to Sunday worship, they all could hear the chiming of the bell when it rang. That chiming called together the community. It brought people from all walks of life together with one common purpose. Unity. This island, originally a place for outcasts, became a residential refuge where people could take a breathe, relax, and focus on getting the help they needed. The bell created a tune that symbolized hope, acceptance, and potential for all those who heard it's chime.

Nowadays, the bell sits on a solid block of concrete within the church's outdoor plaza. Although the bell tower no longer exists, and the chiming has stopped, people still walk past its bronze shell and are reminded of the solidarity among diverse people that it represents. It sits in the middle of the island, outside the chapel, strong and sturdy, bringing together people of all faiths to come and be united in one place. The Chapel of the Good Shepherd is now used by Catholic, Episcopalian, and other nondenominational religions to hold services to unite the community. The bronze bell, stationary and stoic, serves as a religious artifact that brings people from all different backgrounds together. What it once did so many years ago, it is still doing today. The sound and sight of the bell represents refuge and acceptance, and with my experience on Roosevelt Island I can vouch for those. When I escape to the island, I am not an outsider, but rather a friend that has come back for a visit to be accepted in a place where differences, ailments, and conditions are not looked down upon, but instead, encouraged and embraced with open arms.