An old church bell rings again in Rochester, Illinois, a small community east of Springfield, thanks to Boy Scout Alex Baylor and Hanson Springfield employees Matt Willey, P.E., S.E., and Tom Packman, EIT.
Alex, a member of Boy Scout Troop 40 in Rochester, is working to reach the rank of Eagle Scout ─ the highest level a Boy Scout can achieve in the scouting program. Achieving the Eagle Scout rank involves several requirements, including the completion of an approved service project.
For his project, Alex chose to refurbish and display a 1,120-pound bell that originally rang years ago at Rochester United Methodist Church. The first phase of Alex’s project included the refurbishment and restoration of the bell. Phase 2 involved designing and building a structural base for the bell, which would be located outside the church.
To accomplish the second phase, Alex contacted Hanson for assistance designing and preparing plans for the base. Matt, a structural engineer, and Tom, an engineer intern, both of whom are Eagle Scouts, volunteered to help Alex with the design. The design plans encompassed the structure’s foundation, footings, masonry base and top concrete slab where the bell would rest.
Alex completed the project, and the bell was dedicated during a ceremony at the church Aug. 20, which Matt attended. Click here to see the bell and view the dedication ceremony.
Boy Scout Alex Baylor and Hanson Structural Engineer Matt Willey, P.E., S.E., stand next to Alex’s Eagle Scout project in Rochester, Illinois. Alex’s project included the refurbishment and restoration of an old church bell as well as designing and building a structural base for the bell. Matt and Hanson Engineer Intern Tom Packman, EIT, volunteered to help Alex design and prepare plans for the bell’s structural base.