Carillon car concerts at Des Moines' Cathedral Church of St. Paul to continue post-pandemic

Downtown Des Moines' Cathedral Church of St. Paul last year launched a 30-minute Easter services carillon concert for members to enjoy from their vehicles.

It’s now a weekly event, drawing car crowds even from nonmembers. (It's also popular online.)

• The full-length hand-played concerts help build interest in the church and have resulted in financial contributions.

The big picture: There are 25 bronze bells in the carillon, some cast 125 years ago.

• The largest weighs about three tons and can be heard throughout much of downtown.

What to expect: Organist/choirmaster Mark Babcock told Axios that he plans to continue the free concerts even after the pandemic.

• The bells play briefly every day at noon, 5pm and 6pm via an automated system.
• Sundays at 9am, 815 High St.
• Don’t feed the meters! Street parking is free on Sundays.

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