The Verdin Company
| File:St. Paul View 1.JPG St. Paul's Church, incorporated into the Bell Event Centre at Verdin Company's main office | |
| Industry | Bellfounding |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1842 |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Bob Verdin (CEO) |
| Website | verdin |
The Verdin Company specializes in crafting bronze bells, clocks, and towers, operating out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Since its inception in 1842, the firm has been engaged in producing, refurbishing, and maintaining bells for towers, peals, chimes, and carillons. Its product range extends to electronic carillons, street clocks, glockenspiels, monuments, and it runs an organ division that supports churches and organizations with integrated organ and bell music.
The corporate headquarters are situated within a renovated complex of five former church buildings in Cincinnati's Over the Rhine district—previously known as St. Paul Church—and include the Bell Event Centre.
History
Established in 1842 by siblings Francis de Sales and Michael Verdin, the company was responsible for installing the first tower clock in the United States at Cincinnati's Old St. Mary's Church. Currently managed by Bob Verdin, the sixth generation of family leadership holds the CEO position.
In 2001, Verdin obtained a contract from the state of Ohio to produce a commemorative bell for each of its 88 counties in honor of the 2003 bicentennial. These bells were cast using a unique mobile bell foundry—the only one of its kind globally. Prior to this initiative, bell casting was typically subcontracted to the Dutch foundry Petit & Fritsen.
The company's pipe organ division was inaugurated in 2016.
Verdin's headquarters occupy the historic St. Paul's Church complex, originally established in 1848 as Cincinnati's seventh German Catholic parish. Following extensive fire damage in 1899, architect Samuel Hannaford led a significant renovation. After being deconsecrated in 1975, Verdin acquired the property in 1981.
Innovations
In 1927, Verdin pioneered America's first electric bell ringer, facilitating the transition from manual to electrically operated bells throughout the following two decades.
Major projects
Verdin oversaw the casting of the World Peace Bell located in Newport, Kentucky—a massive bell weighing 33,285 kg (73,381 lbs) with a diameter of 12 feet (3.7 m)—produced at France’s Paccard Foundry in 1999. Other prominent installations include bells at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the Smithsonian Institution, the Peace Tower, Walt Disney World Resort, and an ensemble of 88 bronze bells created for Ohio’s Bicentennial celebration.
The company also manufactured a 24-inch brass bell for Boston’s Seaport Shrine. In 2015, Verdin completed a large-scale foot piano measuring 19 by 6 feet with 32 keys and bells; this instrument was installed at Cincinnati’s Smale Riverfront Park.
See also
- Bellfounding and clock making