On May 15, 1958, the bell tower, of Campanile design, which housed a 1870 pound bronze bell, cast for Holy Trinity at Aarle-Rixtel in Holland by Petit and Fritsen Foundry, was dedicated. Everett Needham and Richard Staples lent their support to this endeavor. Many church and town dignitaries attended the bell dedicatory ceremonies, which were presided over by Rev. Donald Paige, pastor of the newly built Holy Trinity United Methodist Church.
In 1971, the Everett Elliott family donated the monies needed for two more bells and electronic ringing equipment. These bells, which weighed 836 and 484 pounds, were also cast in Holland and installed by the I.T. Verdin Company. Rev. Alan Moore was the pastor when the new tower bells were dedicated.
For many years, the bells rang before worship, inviting the community to gather for church. They rang at weddings and funerals and special church occasions and tolled at time of the death of President John F. Kennedy.
By the early 1990’s only one bell was in working order. When it failed, ropes were attached to the bells so that they could be rung manually. All was well until some neighborhood children discovered the ropes and bells and began ringing the bells late at night. The ropes were cut and the bells were silent while the trustees continued to explore restoration.
In October of 2005, friends and family of Matthew Graham, who died at the age of 31, committed to getting the bells to ring once again at Holy Trinity in memory of their beloved friend. Fundraisers brought in thousands of dollars. Following William Eaton’s death in September of 2006, his relatives, who knew of the hope of the bell tower restoration, offered to fund the completion of the project. The family of Robert Woods, Jr., who died in an accident, provided monies for landscaping the restored bell tower. Monies from a number of memorial funds, intended to restore the bell tower, were also used. Bert Russell and the trustees oversaw the entire project.
On Mothers Day, May 13, 2007 the restored Bell Tower was dedicated. A plaque at the base of the tower dedicates the ringing of the bells to the memory of Matthew Graham. In part it reads:
When you year these bells ring, remember Matt
and live your life to the fullest. Honor your family
and friends as if it were your last day on earth.
In 1971, the Everett Elliott family donated the monies needed for two more bells and electronic ringing equipment. These bells, which weighed 836 and 484 pounds, were also cast in Holland and installed by the I.T. Verdin Company. Rev. Alan Moore was the pastor when the new tower bells were dedicated.
For many years, the bells rang before worship, inviting the community to gather for church. They rang at weddings and funerals and special church occasions and tolled at time of the death of President John F. Kennedy.
By the early 1990’s only one bell was in working order. When it failed, ropes were attached to the bells so that they could be rung manually. All was well until some neighborhood children discovered the ropes and bells and began ringing the bells late at night. The ropes were cut and the bells were silent while the trustees continued to explore restoration.
In October of 2005, friends and family of Matthew Graham, who died at the age of 31, committed to getting the bells to ring once again at Holy Trinity in memory of their beloved friend. Fundraisers brought in thousands of dollars. Following William Eaton’s death in September of 2006, his relatives, who knew of the hope of the bell tower restoration, offered to fund the completion of the project. The family of Robert Woods, Jr., who died in an accident, provided monies for landscaping the restored bell tower. Monies from a number of memorial funds, intended to restore the bell tower, were also used. Bert Russell and the trustees oversaw the entire project.
On Mothers Day, May 13, 2007 the restored Bell Tower was dedicated. A plaque at the base of the tower dedicates the ringing of the bells to the memory of Matthew Graham. In part it reads:
When you year these bells ring, remember Matt
and live your life to the fullest. Honor your family
and friends as if it were your last day on earth.
