Bell

 United States > California > Los Angeles County > San Gabriel

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View of the six-bell "campanario" (or "bell wall") located adjacent to the chapel's east facade, at the far end of the church. Photograph was taken from across the street along Mission Drive and shows the bells peeking from behind palm trees. This large six-bell campanario was built after the original three-bell structure toppled during the 1812 Wrightwood Earthquake. In olden times, bells were vitally important to daily life at any mission. The bells were rung at mealtimes, to call the Mission residents to work and to religious services, during births and funerals, as well as to signal the approach of a ship or returning missionary, etc.