In November 2018, when a fire heavily damaged the Woodbury Union Church, the church’s bell also fell victim. While the church has been rebuilt and the congregation, as well as community groups, has resumed activities, the bell has languished, awaiting its restoration and return.

Last week, after a lengthy process, the refurbished bell was returned to its church home.

The heavy bronze bell, cast in New York, was presented to the newly built Woodbury Union Church in 1908. The first verse of Psalm 122, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord” is inscribed on the side of the bell. On the first Sunday of the bell’s use, the preacher, without knowing of this inscription, used that very same verse as the text for his sermon.

For many years, besides calling parishioners to worship, the ringing of the bell was also a fire signal to the community. Bob Kane, a member of Woodbury, recently recalled that as a teenager he was paid $5 to ring the bell for weddings at the Saint Benedict Church before it had a bell of its own. Woodbury’s bell continued to ring for 110 years – right up to the time of the devastating fire.

It will never ring again, but thanks to the efforts and generosity of Kevin McCrudden, a local businessman who welds for a hobby, the bell has resumed its place in the church as a valued piece of memorabilia.

Editor’s note: Jane Tarring, who wrote this story, is a longtime parishioner of Woodbury Union Church.