Church bell will ring again: First United Methodist restores historic treasure
Although the First Methodist Church bell is nearly 150 years old, the sound still resonates with longtime members
Church bell will ring again: First United Methodist restores historic treasure Although the First Methodist Church bell is nearly 150 years old, the sound still resonates with longtime members Check out this story on dnj.com: https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2019/04/03/first-methodist-restores-church-bell-murfreesboro/3340727002/
Nancy De Gennaro, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal Published 3:46 p.m. CT April 3, 2019 | Updated 4:15 p.m. CT April 3, 2019
First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro got a piece of history returned this week.
The 147-year-old bell that once called parishioners to worship downtown was reinstalled at the church's current location on Thompson Lane.
"We recovered our bell and we're putting it back in service," said John Sallee, a longtime member of FUMC who is heading up the installation process.
For the first time in nearly 16 years, the bell will sound the call to worship at 9:15 a.m. April 14.
There will be a special dedication ceremony in the main lobby of the church at 265 W. Thompson Lane. Sallee's grandson, Andrew Gaines, will be the bell ringer that morning.
A bell chamber was carved out of an enclosed space underneath the staircase, providing a perfect spot where the bell's sound will resonate, Sallee explained.
"It fit perfectly," Sallee said.
Old First United Methodist Church bell restored
Some First Methodist Church members install the bell from the former First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, to the new site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Ron Lindsey adjusts the rope for the old First United Methodist Church bell as he and other church members install the bell at the church's new site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Robin Robertson installs the old bell from the former First Methodist Church, in downtown Murfreesboro to the new First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Robin Robertson measures an area as he installs the old bell from the former First Methodist Church, in downtown Murfreesboro to the new First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Andrew Gaines, 14 adjusts the rope for the old First Methodist Bell as he and some other church members install the bell from the former First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, to the new site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
John Sallee rings the bell at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday April 2, 2019. The bell, which once occupied the tower of the historic church in downtown Murfreesboro, was relocated to the new church building on Thompson Lane. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Andrew Gaines, 14, and Ron Lindsey adjusts the rope for the old First Methodist Bell as they install the bell from the former First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, to the new site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
John Sallee, left, and Ron Lindsey, right, install the old bell that was once located in the former First United Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro at the new church site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Robin Robertson, left and Andrew Gaines, 14, right install the old bell that was once located in the former First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, to the new church site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Wooden plaques that have information about the history of the old First Methodist Church bell are installed next to the new site of the First Methodist Church with the bell, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Robin Robertson installs the old bell that was once located in the former First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, to the new church site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Levers have been installed in the new First Methodist display site to simulate the ones in the original bell tower at the downtown Murfreesboro, location, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Andrew Gaines, 14 helps installs the old bell from the former First Methodist Church, in downtown Murfreesboro to the new First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Robin Robertson, left and John Sallee, right install the old bell that was once located in the former First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, to the new church site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Ron Lindsey helps to install the old bell from the former First Methodist Church, in downtown Murfreesboro to the new First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
John Sallee, helps install the old bell that was once located in the former First Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro, to the new church site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. HELEN COMER/DNJ
Sallee said the bell was originally dedicated in November 1872, when the church was located on the southeast corner of College and Church streets. In 1888, the congregation moved across the street where the bell tower remains, even after the building was turned into a bank in recent years.
As membership burgeoned beyond the available space at the 130-year-old church, the need for more room prompted the erection of the building where the congregation currently worships.
The historic former First United Methodist Church in downtown Murfreesboro. (Photo: Submitted)
When FUMC moved in 2003, the bell in the historic downtown church was decommissioned.
For more than six years, the bell remained in the tower downtown until a crew from the church rescued it and placed in storage for nearly a decade.
Bringing the bell back
But a few years ago Sallee, a former church usher, forged ahead with plans to bring the bell back.
"It just seemed like something was missing," said Sallee, who rang the bell on many Sunday mornings at the old location. "I felt like it would be such a tragedy (to keep the bell in storage)."
John Sallee, left, and Ron Lindsey, right, install the old bell that was once located in the former First United Methodist Church site in downtown Murfreesboro at the new church site on Thompson Lane, on Tuesday April 2, 2019. (Photo: HELEN COMER/DNJ)
Plans came to fruition just in time for Palm Sunday.
While it will be housed in the new space, Sallee made sure the historical ambiance was preserved, using much of the same wood once housed in the old tower.
The bell was perched on a platform in the top of the old bell tower, approximately three stories above the ground. A rope was looped through a pulley system and hung down into the lobby.
"Those are the exact planks it sat on and this is the actually the hole that was cut out for the rope to go through," said FUMC facilities manager Josh Markham as he pointed to a wooden platform.
Wooden boards from the interior of the bell tower were salvaged, too, and placed underneath and above the new chamber. New wooden plaques on each side of the chamber tell the story of the bell.
"We tried to replicate, to a certain extent, the atmosphere of the bell tower," Sallee said.
John Sallee rings the bell at First United Methodist Church on Tuesday April 2, 2019. The bell, which once occupied the tower of the historic church in downtown Murfreesboro, was relocated to the new church building on Thompson Lane. (Photo: HELEN COMER/DNJ)
A few parts to the ringing mechanism did have to be refurbished. But not much had to be done to the bell to get it ready.
A local historian recommended they keep the natural patina on the bronze bell.
"It was almost perfect condition. There were no broken parts," Sallee said.
And the sound is still majestic and reminiscent of the days when neighbors heard the call to worship. Members will hear it once again, and Sallee is happy about that.
"We're very fortunate the bell is back in service. This will be bringing history back to the church," Sallee said.
Bell inscription
Presented by Mrs. I.B. and N.C. Collier
to M.E. Church South
Murfreesboro, Tenn. Nov. 17, 1872
Vanduzen & Tift Cincinnati
Buckeye Bell Foundry 1872
30" Dia. Bronze Rotating Wt. 620-lbs.
More about the church: Starbucks may be part of downtown Murfreesboro's historic church redevelopment project
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