There was a time when the First United Methodist Church in Austin was known as the “The Church of the Chimes.”

And so, it will be again.

On Sunday, the church will dedicate its new digital Platinum Carillon system at its 9:30 a.m. church service, to be followed with a recital of carillon music at 10:45 a.m.

The new carillon will play music that can be heard through the town four times daily on weekdays, and from 9:15-9:30 a.m. on Sundays.

A monetary gift was given to the church by the estate of the late John and Blanche Newlin, longtime church members.

Their daughter, Susan Newlin Sanderson, and family suggested the church use the gift for the installation of a new, high-fidelity, digital carillon system. Sanderson knew her late mother, an Austin native, loved the chimes and missed them when they fell silent.

The $15,000 gift was augmented by donations from the church memorial and trust fund committees, as well as congregation members. The additional funds — about $5,000 — allowed the church to include an upgrade that extended the warranty, provided more hymns, and allowed members to use special music and custom recordings on the system. The additional funds were also used toward installation costs, since the system required roof work to install the needed speakers.

Beginning in the 1930s, the UMC over the years used sound systems to carry recorded chimes, or bells, according to Sunnee Flink, chairwoman of the church’s Hospitality/Caring Ministry team. First UMC began to be called “The Church of the Chimes” as a result.

Church members are not exactly sure what system was used at the beginning, but in recent years, systems used eight-track and cassette tapes. It is estimated the new system is the fourth to be used over the years. Use of the most recent carillon system was suspended about 25 years ago, due to age and deterioration, Flink said.

The new digital system, purchased through Chime Master Systems of Lancaster, Ohio, will do what none of its predecessors could. There are some 1,500 hymns and other musical selections stored on the system; a recording library for musicians can input up to 2,000 additional selections.

Not only is the carillon able to offer a vast number of selections, the instrumentation and types of music have expanded over older systems.

“There are seasonal selections and those for special occasions,” said Flink, noting listeners might hear “Everything from ‘Amazing Grace’ on bagpipes, to ‘Stars and Stripes Forever’ on the Fourth of July,” she said.

There are nine bell and chime voices and selections can either be chosen or a computerized mechanism will automatically play appropriate selections for different seasons, including Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and patriotic holidays. Classical and folk music is also included.

The system also has flexible clock-striking capabilities with Westminster Chimes and 11 other options. There are up to 64 festive pealing bells, wedding bells, funeral tolls, memorial bells and even taps on bugle. The music can be heard inside or outside of the church, or both, she said.

Members of the Hospitality/Caring Ministry team who researched and worked on the project included Flink, Betty Neus, Sarah Lysne, Cles Johnson, Sherry Klein and the late John Jentink. Administrative Assistant Connie Hoveland gave valuable support as well, said Flink.

The team extended special thanks to church member Doug Bathke, who was instrumental in designing the placement of the carillon and who coordinated the installation.