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The Bell Tower in Persberg
The bell tower was erected by Persberg Mining Company in 1929 and is today owned by the Church of Sweden. At the shareholders’ meeting on 12 June 1928 it was decided to order a bell for the planned bell tower. The order was placed with K.G.M. Bergholtz foundry in Stockholm.
At the inauguration, the Managing Director of the Persberg mines, Karl Brunnberg, delivered a speech.
On the cold New Year’s night, Brunnberg read the following lines in the light of torches and flares.
Rise, hallowed sound, over forest toward the blue-tinged heights. Out across the ore-rich land to those who build and dwell. Wake the people of Bergslagen to labour, devotion and joy. Consecrate them at life’s end to the peace of eternal bliss.
Inscription on the Bell
West face (Image 3)
PERSBERGS GRUVE AKTIEBOLAG RESOLVED AT THE COMPANY MEETING OF 12 JUN 1828 TO PROCURE THIS BELL ON THE PROPOSAL OF ITS BOARD: THE CABINET CHAMBERLAIN AUG. HERLENIUS, MANAGER ERNST ODELBERG AND MANAGER K.G. BRUNNBERG. BISHOP OF THE DIOCESE OF KARLSTAD AT THAT TIME WAS J.A. EKLUND, VICAR OF FÄRNEBO PARISH HJALMAR LYTH. CAST BY K.G.M. BERGHOLTZ STOCKHOLM. THE LORD HOLDS THE DEPTHS OF THE EARTH IN HIS HAND. PS. 95:4
East face (Image 4)
TO THE PRAISE OF THE LORD I WAS FORMED FROM THE NOBLE ORE OF THE DEEP. TO THE MEN OF THE MOUNTAIN I BEAR THE MESSAGE: TO WORSHIP WITH PRAYER AND PSALM GOD THE GREAT LORD, WHOSE KINGDOM IS HEAVEN AND EARTH, OUR GOD WHO, IN THE POET’S WORDS, DWELLS IN THE DEPTH AS IN THE HEIGHT.
The First Bell Tower and Burial Ground (1852–1853)
In the summer of 1852, the mining assembly resolved to apply for permission to establish a burial ground in Persberg. Already during this gathering, the grounds of Skavnäset were considered suitable.
It was also decided to procure a bell tower in the form of ”two bell angles of steel”, to be used both at burials and for the announcement of divine service.
The burial ground is said to have been completed in 1853. The assembly minutes of 8 March that year note that a ”sexton’s salary” had been paid out. It is reasonable to conclude that the bell tower with its two bell angles was also completed by then.
Tora Öberg’s drawing (image 6) shows the first bell tower with its associated bell angles, revealing that two triangles were used, one of which is preserved (image 7).
Triangles as Church Summons in Sweden
The 1956 yearbook of the Nordic Museum and Skansen describes how people in various parts of Sweden were called to religious gatherings.
Smaller parishes could face financial difficulties before the church was completed, and a church bell was a considerable expense. Where funds were lacking, other solutions had to be found:
- At Värskär’s fishing chapel, a divine service drum was used.
- In other places, a horn was blown.
- In the village of Ås in Jämtland, the sexton went out onto the churchyard hill and called the congregation in by voice.
According to the yearbook, there are only 13 places in Sweden where it has been established that triangles were used to summon people to religious gatherings. Persberg is one of them.
Only three triangles are preserved in the country – two in museums and one at a local heritage farm. This means that the triangle preserved in Persberg is the fourth in the country, making it particularly unique.
Warm thanks are extended to the Sandvall family at Persberg Manor, who donated the triangle to the community centre association ”Vi i Persbergsbygden” (We in the Persberg District).
The triangle was rededicated on Högbergsfältets Day on 20 May 2023 at Skavnäset Chapel. It is now displayed at the community centre Yngsvallen.
