Cover image by Mark Mitchell
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NO 2026 Ringing Festival - moved to Waitangi Weekend 2027.
Wellington Combined Society of Bellringers
Nau mai, haere mai - we are a charitable organisation responsible for ringing church bells in the city of Wellington, New Zealand, formed in 2015 from the unification of the Wellington Cathedral Society and Old St Paul's Guild of Bellringers. We ring for church services, weddings & funerals, and to mark special occasions or days of national significance. Our mission is to preserve the ancient art of bell-ringing through promotion and training, to ensure future generations have the opportunity to learn this unique craft and enjoy the sound of bells for many years to come.
What We Do
We practice an ancient craft known as Change Ringing, which was developed in England around the 16th century. The bells are hung on wheels and swung by rope until they are facing upside down, then rung from balance point to balance point, enabling small but precise changes in timing. However, we do not ring traditional tunes due to the length of time it takes for the bell to swing - instead, we ring methods, where bells move in a set pattern and at a maximum of one place at a time, producing different 'permutations', known as changes, hence the name. These methods are completely memorised - you are not allowed to have physical aid during ringing, which is what makes bell ringing such a fun mental exercise! Click here to learn more about the art of change-ringing.
How You Can Get Involved
Learn the Ropes
Looking for a fun and unique hobby and interested in preserving an ancient art, why not learn to ring the bells? Find out more below, or get in touch with us.
Visit Us
Whether you're a visiting ringer, curious member of the public or wanting to give ringing a try, there is something for everyone. Visit us at one of our towers!
Donate
Please consider donating to assist us with training recruits, bell tower maintenance, and fundraising for events, projects and more.
A bit of History
Not much information remains regarding a St Pauls' Bellringing society in Wellington before 1979, but there was regular ringing occuring on Sundays, and for Weddings, Funerals and the like between 1867, when the original three bells at Old St Paul's were installed, and 1916, by which time the bells were not being rung properly as it was believed the tower was too weak to support full-circle ringing. After a silence of over half a century, five new bells were cast and hung for Old St Paul's to replace the three original bells as part of a restoration of the church, and the Old St Paul's Guild of Bellringers was formed to ring and look after the new bells. Five years later, in 1984, the Wellington Cathedral Society was also formed to look after the 14 new bells of the Cathedral of St Paul, which had since replaced Old St Paul's as the heart of the anglican church in Wellington. In 2015 due to dwindling numbers and less regular ringing at Old St Paul's it was decided to unify the two societies to create the Wellington Combined Society of Bellringers (W.C.S.B). Members now ring regularly at both the Cathedral and Old St Paul's, calling people to worship, celebrate, and mourn.
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul bellsWatch the cathedral bells in full swing!
Ringing Schedule
The official cathedral ringing schedule is available below. Ringing at Old St Paul's is by arrangement and for weddings and special events only. Where ringing will be occuring for an extended period of time and/or outside of the schedule, surrounding communities will be informed via pamphlets and social media.
Meet our Officers (coming soon)
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