Rededication of the Bell - June 7, 1987
In 1850 the present Presbyterian Church bell was purchased and hung
in the belfry of the then "new" brick church building
erected at 10th and Broadway in Columbia Missouri. The active
leadership in procuring the bell for the church was provided by
Dr. Henry Martin Clarkson, one of the members. He not only
personally selected and purchased the bell (with its deep clear
tone) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but he also subscribed generously
to the bell fund.
When this church building was torn down to make
room for the larger cut stone, slate roofed new church (on the same
lot) in 1893, the bell was stored until the new church was completed
in 1894 and the bell placed in its tall belfry. While its
primary purpose was to summon the people to Presbyterian religious
services, the bell throughout the years served non-religious purposes
as well. It served as a fire alarm for the city of Columbia,
particularly if the fire occurred at night; during the civil war
the bell warned the people of Columbia of the approach of bush-whackers;
it was rung to announce the passage of important pieces of legislation;
it tolled the news of the death of prominent citizens. Pranksters
usually rang the bell on Halloween and New Years Eve. And
before the days of TV and radio, frequently University of Missouri
students joyfully rang the bell to announce a football victory.
The 1894 stone church was razed (and the lot at
10th and Broadway later sold), and the bell was put out to be discarded
since there was no specific provision made for it in the new church
built at 16 Hitt Street. Through the efforts of Naomi Wallin
and Virginian Botts, it was decided to "save the bell"
and for the last several years it has been "stored" in
the courtyard of the church. While the future of the bell
was discussed many times in Sessions meetings, the members never
took any definitive action regarding it. In 1986, at the suggestion
of Reverend H. Wilkes O'Brien, a special bell fund was developed
for those concerned with its preservation. Dr. Melville Peterson,
church treasurer, consulted with B. D. Simon Construction Company
(who had built the Hitt Street church) and they made plans to place
the old bell in the steeple tower of the church. Dr. Peterson
was named chairman of the committee appointed to make plans for
the bell's rededication. These plans include a special program
on June 7th with formal presentation of a plaque commemorating the
bell. The Presbyterian Church bell, which will now be rung
through electronic controls, will once again call the people to
worship. It is the second oldest bell in Boone County - the
oldest being that of the Boone County Courthouse. It is 137
years old.
Virginia Mullinax Botts
April 1987
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