Christian Cyclopedia

In early Christian ch. the faithful were summoned to worship by word of mouth; later trumpets were used, also large hammers, struck against wooden or iron instruments. Bells were introd. in 9th c., suspended at first in special bell towers, or campaniles, later in spires of churches themselves, their use meeting with great favor almost everywhere.

Ch. bells are commonly rung immediately before a service. Other uses have varied from time to time and place to place (e.g., 1/2 hr. before sunrise and 1/2 hr. before sunset; at noon; Saturday evening at 6 o'clock; at the death and/or burial of a ch. mem. [sometimes tolling his age]; at the beginning, middle, and end of the Lord's Prayer in a service; at confirmation; at the end of a service).