Church bell comes down at Grace Centre

Wilma Kenny | Aug 18, 2011

Last Friday morning, a very tall crane removed the bell tower and bell from the former Grace United Church in Sydenham, as part of the building’s transition into the Grace Centre, new home of Southern Frontenac Community Services. First, the roof and upper part of the tower were sawed free and slowly lowered to the ground. The bell with its turning-wheel were next, followed by the cradle it had rested in for the past 86 years.

Although the sound of the bell had rung out over the village all these years, the bell itself had remained hidden by the latticework of the tower. It was revealed to be a large iron bell, 33” across the mouth, marked “No.8”. Rusty, raised letters on the harness, “Rumsey & Co. Seneca Falls NY”, identified the foundry where it had been cast. Local history reports it was purchased in 1925 for $50 by the congregation of Grace United from the Methodist church in Harrowsmith, which had formerly been a Presbyterian church.

The bell has presently been removed for safekeeping: a new stone cradle will be constructed to hold it so it can remain on the property, a symbol of the building’s past and future service to the community.

SFCS chair, Joan Cameron, says the total cost of renovating the building from church to community centre is estimated to be $300,000. The project will be completed in stages: already the programs for seniors have been relocated: some of those participants were given front row seats to watch the tower and bell come down.

SFCS is building strong community support: John Trousdale provided the crane and crew who performed the bell tower removal with care and precision. The Sydenham Lions, Ella’s Cafe, Garrett’s Meats, Memory Lane, Silverbrook and Trousdale’s are all contributing to next week’s August 27 “Save the Bell” fundraising Corn Roast, which will be held from 2-4 PM at the Grace Centre. The cost is a goodwill offering, and there will not only be corn, but also hot dogs, beverages, dessert, live entertainment, children’s games and tours.

Darryl Silver of Silverbrook is offering the church pews for sale at $125 apiece: $100 of this will go to the fundraising, and generate a tax receipt for the purchaser. Silver will retain only $25, his original purchase cost.