It's been over three decades since the bells at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church have rung.
But thanks to a retired union electrician and his son the bells are under construction and this will soon change.
“It’s history, there’s no real way to say it other than you’re literally helping history stay alive,” said Daniel Cavanaugh.
"We always wanted to climb this tower, I never realized I'd be doing it as a worker and not a tourist,” said Mike Cavanaugh.
It's been 8 years since Mike ended his 41 year career with IBEW Local Union #3. His son Daniel is a firefighter by trade and is happy to pitch in for a good cause.
"I've picked up a few tricks from my father yes, but overall electricity is not my friend," said Danny.
The most difficult part of this project so far they say was making the initial 14-story trek up the very narrow and old staircase leading to the bells.
"It's very dangerous, so once they were repaired we didn't have a problem," said Mike.
From there Mike says other challenges include running numerous wires, upgrading the outdated technology of the current system and finally installing a new mechanism to make the bells work automatically.
So why would a retiree and his son with no affiliation to the St. Peter's church volunteer their time for such a daunting task?
"This is a landmark church, it's the mother church of Staten Island, I’m just more than glad to help out and get these bells ringing again," said Mike.
And ring again they will. The project is expected to be completed this week.