When Ray Andrews says he can see a light at the end of the tunnel, it doesn’t mean he’s about to go meet his maker.

Andrews is celebrating the end of his 18-month crusade to restore the Center School Clock in Mattapoisett.

Andrews canvassed Center School alumni, members of the community and local government officials to raise a donor base for the $70,000 project. Although it was slow going at times, Andrews never wavered in his determination to hear the hourly ring of the tower bell.

“It’s a town artifact. It’s the crown jewel of Mattapoisett,” he said.

On Friday, July 6, the family team from Balzer Family Clock Works of Freeport, Maine, who began restoring the clock in December, arrived for the installation of the “small” 3,800-pound machine.

Previously, anyone who wanted to see the 1898 Seth Thomas clock had to climb two flights of treacherous stairs into the clock tower. Now, the inner workings of the clock will be set behind glass in a small room under the tower.

“We’ve been able to relocate it down at a level where people, for the first time in 114 years, will be able to see it,” said Andrews.

Relocating the mechanisms inside the school will protect the clock from harsh temperatures and humidity, said Linda Balzer.

“We try and convince people to do it because of the educational benefits,” she said.

Balzer said the machine, which is driven by a weight and only requires gravity to function, is a great resource for science and math classes.

Before the end of the day, the clock was installed and ready to ring.

Andrews said the Congregational Church agreed to turn off their bell to allow the Center School’s bell to ring from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. The church will continue to play the carillon melody at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Andrews was grateful for the Congregational Church as well as everyone who supported the project.

“I can’t thank enough the 270 private donors who donated just under $28,000, and the Town Meeting voters who voted to approve the $51,500 of Conservation Preservation Act funding,” he said.

With a surplus of $10,000 in the clock’s revolving fund, Andrews is already looking to other possible updates on the tower.

“The next project goal is to have the exterior of the clock tower repainted,” he said.