Parishioners had become concerned over the state of the bell in recent times and their fears proved well founded when it fell from its perch.
The Church bell was something of a landmark feature in Ardara.
“We would hope to see it erected, but that will very much depend on how much that would cost,” Rev Robert Wray told Donegal Live.
“We are very lucky. It could have come down on top of people on a Sunday morning.
“We're also very lucky that it didn't come through the roof of the porch. It stood at the top of the gable wall in an arch, it struck the porch roof and skidded off to the ground. The fall was slowed a bit as a result.”
The metal bell became detached during strong winds. It was found by parishioner Nigel Morrow, who has taken it for safe keeping.
“The bell itself is fine,” Rev Wray said. “The bell was used until quite recently. We were concerned about its condition, which has unfortunately proved right as it fell. It had been checked quite regularly.”