Berea College's carillon, Kentucky's largest, moved a step closer to completion today with the arrival and "blessing" of the instrument's 56 bells. The ceremony was held at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Draper Building on the Berea College campus.

The bells and related equipment arrived earlier today from the Verdin Company of Cincinnati, which designed, built and is overseeing installation of the carillon, and were lined up in front of Draper building for viewing before the ceremony.

The tradition of "blessing of the bells" dates back to the carillon's origin 500 years ago when the first sets of bells were installed in church towers in Holland, Belgium and northern France. Rev. Kent Gilbert, pastor of Berea's Union Church, officiated at today's ceremony.

Reconstruction on the tower of the Draper classroom building began May 22. Installation of the carillon -- frames, bells, keyboard and playing mechanism -- is expected to take approximately one month. A formal dedication ceremony and will take place Friday, October 27.