Older than London’s Big Ben, Palayamkottai’s historic clock is set to chime again

Palayamkottai's historic clock, predating Big Ben, is set for restoration to reclaim its long-lost chime.

When antique clock collector Robert Kennedy and master clocksmith Nagaraj climbed the bell tower of the historic Holy Trinity Cathedral at Palayamkottai in Tirunelveli district to inspect its tower clock recently, they were thrilled to make a remarkable discovery: the timepiece predates the Great Bell of the Great Clock at the Palace of Westminster, London, nicknamed Big Ben.

“Big Ben was installed in 1859, whereas this clock was manufactured in 1854 and installed in 1855. It was made by John Moore & Sons of Clerkenwell, a renowned London-based clockmaker,” said Mr. Kennedy, who has been invited by the church authorities to examine the mechanism and undertake its restoration. The year 1854 is engraved on the clock.

The historic Holy Trinity Cathedral at Palayamkottai | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The cathedral itself, built in 1826 by Rev. C.T.E. Rhenius, recently celebrated its bicentenary, adding further historical significance to the restoration effort. Although the clock continues to function, it has fallen silent in recent years, unable to deliver its once sonorous chime owing to a technical defect. Mr. Kennedy, who examined other clocks in the country, is also of the view that the Holy Trinity Cathedral clock could be the oldest tower clock in India.

After repeated but unsuccessful attempts to restore the bell’s chime, the church authorities contemplated installing a battery-operated mechanism as a substitute. They approached Mr. Kennedy and, following two months of deliberations, he agreed to take up the challenge alongside Mr. Nagaraj, with whom he has restored numerous antique clocks to their former glory. He was unequivocal in his opposition to replacing the original mechanism.

Given that tower clocks of that era were custom-built, the replacement components for the cathedral clock will have to be painstakingly handcrafted | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement