Page 31 - Priorities #49 2011-April/May

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What is a clock? Is it a instrument that simply tells time, marking min- utes and hours with chimes? If you ask Father Martin, he’ll flash a smile and shake his head. Father Martin believes a clock is more than glass and wood, gleaming brass gears, steel springs, counter-balances, and pendulums. He believes a clock is a metaphor for our lives, as all good horologists do.
“A clock is made out of dead wood,” says Father Martin, “it lived and breathed, like us, and by making a clock, it is brought back to life.” It’s easy then, to draw parallels with the life of Christ and his resur- rection, as well as the teachings of St. Benedict, in particular, the open-
ing, “always we begin again.”
“It’s somewhat of a misnomer to call a long-case clock a Grandfa-
ther clock” says Father Martin “It’s either a long-case clock or a tall clock, but not a Grandfather.”
Father Martin has been making long-case clocks for the Priory auc- tion for 27 years. That’s a lot of clocks. Father Martin’s clocks have helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the school, and he has no plans on stopping that tradition.
The Arts and Crafts movement that flourished between 1880 and 1910 heavily influences Father Martin’s clocks, and much of his wood- work.
“I’m attracted to simple lines and functional forms, particularly Shaker style,” said Father Martin. “The Arts and Crafts style evokes the sense of handcraftsmanship, and that’s what I enjoy making.”
Father Martin doesn’t consider himself an artist; rather, he prefers the distinction of craftsman.
Father Martin began woodworking in late 1960’s when he was work- ing in the Admissions department at St. Anselm College. Father Martin has made crosiers, a classical guitar, mountain dulcimers, canoes, the pews in the Priory Chapel, mantel and long-case clocks, and so much more.
So, when you attend this year’s gala, bid up Father Martin’s clock for a chance to own a poignant metaphor for life, a piece of Priory his- tory, and a handcrafted, valuable addition to your home.
But whatever you do, don’t call it a Grandfather clock.