Savannah Church Rings Bells To Thank Health Workers

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Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Savannah is ringing its bells each night to thank health workers. / Ascension Lutheran Church Savannah on Facebook

One of Savannah's historic churches is ringing its bells at 8 p.m. daily in appreciation of health care workers fighting the coronavirus.

Founded in the 18th Century and built in the 19th Century, the Lutheran Church of the Ascension is now part of a global movement to thank the medical community.

GPB's Emily Jones produced this postcard.Cantor Tom White of Savannah's Lutheran Church of the Ascension explains why the church is ringing its bells nightly.

"In our congregation, we have a lot of healthcare workers," said Tom White, the church's cantor, or music director. "So we want to not only pay tribute to those across the world but to those from our community who are really on the front lines right now."

White said he was inspired by efforts to thank health workers elsewhere, particularly cities in Europe where people have applauded medical personnel nightly. And he's heard from other churches that they will also sound their bells in the evening.

"As we all know, most churches if not all by now are closed, so we don't have that ability to gather together as an assembly," White said. "However, ringing bells is something we can do safely to reinforce our presence in the community."