The Belfry

In the space between the nave and the north transept stands the belfry, never constructed to hold a peal of bells, rising to a height of just over 100 feet. This formerly held the baptistry in its base, a location attested to by the two wonderful windows with tracery formed by three fish forming a circle, symbol of the Holy Trinity and the essential unity of God. The tower is decorated above the old baptistry windows with two long false lancet windows, which serve to relieve the monotony of the otherwise bare solid brick of the lower part of the tower. This story gives a solid visual base to the tower, while the lancet “windows” carry the eye upward. Above are panels of caroling angels in limestone. The lower solid section giving way to pierced forms about halfway up, allowing the sound of the carillon out. Approximately three quarters of the way up, the square form of the tower is transformed into an irregular octagon by four monumental angels, one at each corner. At its apex the tower is finished by a circular attic and a conical metallic roof. The peak is set with a tall, elegant cross set slightly askew to the axis (principal east-west line) of the church to take advantage of the buildings location.