The historic ‘Bells of Santiago’, housed for over a hundred years at All Saints’, Oystermouth, could well be returning home to Chile later this year.
A few months ago the Chilean Ambassador wrote to the Vicar of Oystermouth, Canon Keith Evans, stating on behalf of his government that the “bells are of particular importance to Chile and its relationship with the United Kingdom, particularly Wales.” His letter requested that “these bells be returned once again to Santiago for a memorial for the victims of the fire.” 2013 will mark the 150th anniversary of the disaster.
The three ornately cast Spanish bells, dating from 1753, are the only objects remaining from the Jesuit Cathedral of La Campania which was destroyed by fire on 8th December 1863 with the loss of over 2,500 lives, mostly women and children. It remains one of the worst fire disasters in human history.
“At its meeting on Monday 25th January Oystermouth Parochial Church Council agreed, in principle, that returning the bells to Santiago was the right and Christian response to the Chilean request.” Commented Canon Evans, Vicar of Oystermouth. He continued, “It will also help to strengthen historic links between Swansea and Santiago which were first forged during the Cape Horner copper trade. The possible repatriation of the bells also has the support of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.”
The three bells are thought to have been bought as scrap and shipped to Swansea on a copper barque. They were presented to All Saints by Mr. Graham Vivian of Clyne Castle in exchange for its medieval bells. They are no longer in use and have been on display in the Church porch since they were brought down from the Norman tower in the early 1960’s. Though they remain something of an attraction they have been silent for almost fifty years.
There will now be a four week period of consultation within the parish before the P.C.C. will meet again to make its final decision. The likely return of the bells will also coincide with the bicentennial celebrations of Chilean independence in 2010.
