If your church, courthouse, or campus has a bronze bell installed in the last 100+ years, there’s a good chance it came from The Verdin Company — one of the two dominant American bell foundries still operating today. This guide covers what to know about Verdin bells: their history, what tends to go wrong with them over time, and your options when repair or restoration is needed.
A Brief History of The Verdin Company
Founded in 1842 by French immigrant brothers Francis de Sales and Michael Verdin in Cincinnati, Ohio, the company is still family-owned six generations later. Verdin’s first known installation was a tower clock and bell at Old St. Mary’s Church in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood — the same neighborhood where the company remains headquartered today.
Over nearly two centuries, Verdin has grown well beyond bell casting into clocks, towers, electronic carillons, and monuments, and has acquired a number of smaller American and European bell foundries and related businesses along the way — including the American operations of Van Bergen Bellfoundries in 1997, and Schulmerich Carillons, the pioneer of electronic carillon technology, in 2014. Today, Verdin bells and clocks are installed at more than 55,000 sites worldwide.
How to Tell If You Have a Verdin Bell
- Look for an inscription or maker’s mark on the bell itself, usually near the rim or crown.
- Check the yoke — on older bells, the yoke can sometimes carry a maker’s identification even when the bell doesn’t.
- Church or institutional records often name the foundry directly.
- Electronic/digital systems — check the control panel or amplifier housing for a nameplate.
Common Issues With Older Verdin Bells
Clapper wear or misalignment
The clapper takes the most mechanical wear over decades of use. A worn or misaligned clapper is one of the most common — and least expensive — issues to fix.
Yoke and bearing wear
Swinging bells rotate on bearings mounted in the yoke. Over decades, these can wear down, leading to a bell that swings unevenly or becomes difficult to ring safely.
Cracked bells
Less common, but serious. Bronze bells can develop hairline cracks from age, thermal stress, or improper striking, noticeably changing the tone.
Electrification and motorization issues
Many older manually-rung bells were retrofitted with electric ringers or motors — Verdin notably pioneered the first electric bell ringer in 1927. These retrofits, and any layered on top later, are common failure points as components age.
Tower and structural issues
Sometimes what looks like a bell problem is actually a tower or frame issue — worth ruling out before assuming the bell or its hardware is at fault.
Repair & Restoration Options
- Contact Verdin directly. As the original manufacturer, they’re a natural first call for recently installed bells.
- Independent bell restoration specialists. Companies like McShane Bell Company and Meeks, Watson & Company also service bells regardless of original maker.
- Local bell hangers/riggers. For purely mechanical issues, some preservation contractors handle this without being a full-service foundry.
A note on cost: new bronze bell casting typically runs into the low six figures depending on size, while repair and restoration work varies enormously — from a few hundred dollars for a clapper adjustment to tens of thousands for major recasting or tower work. Getting quotes from more than one source is standard practice.
This page is independent, editorial content and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by The Verdin Company. Verdin® and related marks are the property of their respective owner.