“I Heard the Bells”
2023 Parish History & Archives Committee Summer series
A Sight & Sound film
Wednesday, July 19
7 p.m. | St. David’s Hall
In 1876 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow visited Philadelphia for the Centennial Exposition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Parishioners encouraged him to visit St. David’s on his way home, which he did. Thus, our poem, “Old St. David’s at Radnor.”
This evening, we will watch a film depicting Longfellow’s life, produced by Sight & Sound Films. Known as America’s Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow leads an idyllic life — until the day his world is shattered by tragedy. With a nation divided by Civil War and his family torn apart, Henry puts down his pen, silenced by grief. But it’s the sound of Christmas morning that reignites the poet’s lost voice as he discovers the resounding hope of rekindled faith.
