MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A defining landmark on Hutchinson’s skyline is shining once again.
The bell tower at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church has been relit for the first time in more than a century, restoring a feature that was part of the church’s original 1911 design. At the same time, the parish has completed automation of its historic bells, allowing them to ring in new and meaningful ways for worship, weddings, and funerals.
Father Jerome, pastor of St. Teresa’s and Holy Cross Catholic Church, said the project was inspired by the church’s history and its original architect, Emmanuel Masqueray, who envisioned the cross atop the tower illuminated as a beacon of faith.
“When the church was first built, the cross was lit from within using incandescent bulbs,” Father Jerome said. “The idea was that the light of Christ would be visible from miles around. Over time, that lighting was lost, and the tower went dark. We wanted to restore that original vision.”
Masqueray, a French-born architect, also designed the cathedral in Wichita, as well as several nationally significant churches in Minnesota. St. Teresa’s itself is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is widely recognized for its brick exterior, detailed sanctuary, and stained-glass windows.
The lighting project and bell automation were made possible through a diocesan fundraising campaign launched by Bishop Carl Kemme. Under the campaign’s structure, parishes receive 20 percent of locally raised funds back for approved projects.
“We met our campaign goal, and when those funds came back, I thought, ‘Let’s light the tower,’” Father Jerome said. “At the same time, we wanted to improve how the bells function.”
The church’s three bells — small, medium, and large — had previously been rung manually by pulling ropes. While traditional, the system limited how the bells could be used. Automation now allows for solemn tolling during funerals, with spaced rings symbolizing the years of a person’s life, as well as full peals for weddings and celebrations.
“That kind of reverence just isn’t possible when you’re swinging a bell by hand,” Father Jerome said. “Now, with the push of a button, we can ring them in a way that’s both beautiful and appropriate.”
The lighting design took several months of planning, with parish committees consulting local and regional experts to determine the most dignified and durable approach. Rather than installing ground-level poles, lights were mounted discreetly on the structure itself to illuminate the tower evenly and safely.
Beyond St. Teresa’s, the diocesan campaign is also funding improvements at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Interior renovations are planned to begin in late May and will include new pews, updated flooring, and refreshed finishes throughout the sanctuary.
Holy Cross traces its parish roots to 1957, with the current church building completed in 1983. Father Jerome noted that much of the interior remains original.
“Nothing major has really been done inside since it was built,” he said. “This renovation is overdue, and when it’s finished, it’s going to be beautiful.”
Looking ahead, both parishes are preparing for a busy calendar that includes Catholic Schools Week, confirmations later this month, and an expected 20 to 30 new members entering the church at Easter.
“There’s always something going on,” Father Jerome said. “Whether it’s the bells ringing, the tower shining, or people coming into the faith, our goal is the same — to be a visible and audible sign of Christ in the community.”