Sisters clockmaker to restore Latvian clock

Ed Beacham amid his life's work.

Ed Beacham will be in Rega, Latvia later this month on a mission to clean and restore the capital city's old cathedral tower clock.

Sisters' leading horologist (student of time) has been in correspondence with church and government officials for some time setting this project up. His friend, Chuck Kelley, has helped smooth the way and has sent pictures of the clock back to Beacham for study.

Kelley holds dual citizenship in Latvia and the U.S. and is a former Baptist minister in Corvallis. He presently leads Bridge Builders International, a group tying projects together between countries.

The old tower clock in the Lutheran cathedral is 750 years old. Made by blacksmiths of that time, it has an old birdcage framework made of wrought iron.

Beacham has done massive research on this type of clock and he has 36 years of experience and library acquisitions to help him in his efforts. The book by C.F.C. Beeson on "English Church Clocks" has been invaluable in Beacham's research. He feels this clock may be a brand new contender for important historical clocks in Europe.

The clock will be cleaned using wire brushes and sand blasted.

Jeff Wester of Ponderosa Forge has been invaluable as a technical advisor on metallurgy for the project.

Sisters-Camp Sherman fire department has provided hard hats and headlamps to be used in the moving of the turret clock from the cathedral tower.

Upon completion of the project the clock will be displayed inside the cathedral and be a museum addition. The cathedral museum is set up to save rare and original clocks.

Astrida Pentele, director of the cathedral museum, has promised a playing of "The Old Rugged Cross" for Ed on the cathedral's pipe organ. This organ is the fourth largest in the world.

Kirstine Namavire, who spent one year in this country with Ed and Kathy Beacham, has been very helpful in correspondence concerning the clock project. She works in Rega with Bridge Builders International. The Beachams helped Kirstine attend Multnomah College and now consider her their "daughter."

Beacham's career started in his high school woodshop at Eagle Point, Oregon. He became interested in clock repair and replacement after graduation in 1966.

For 30 years he has been a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

Beacham also has pastored at Camp Sherman's Chapel in the Pines for over 20 years.