July 4, 1876 Bell Ringing at Covert Baptist Church

July 4, 1876 was one hundred years after the signing the of Declaration of Independence. It was a day for celebrating that centennial anniversary, and what better way than to install and ring a church bell.

An August 23, 1975 Geneva Times article, discussing the overall history of the Covert Baptist Church notes, the “bell [was] bought in 1876 for $500.” These funds were “raised through a special collection drive. An 1876 ledger shows individual donations from parishioners, some as high as $25. A nearby school contributed as well, with the school marm donating 50 cents. The names of her students follow hers in the book and beside each name the amount they gave.”

The church history notes that the bell was raised into place and rung for the first time on that July 4^th afternoon with “an estimated crowd of 1,000 assembled to hear it.”

To reach the bell one must climb a ladder fashioned on the inside of the steeple. The rope needed to ring the bell is over 85 feet long, descending from the top of the steeple to a room near the front doors.

Dewitt’s Diary Saturday, July 4, 1959

Temperature 60 clear. Pete flew down from Lockport and landed out behind the barn. He took me to Harris Hill in Elmira to glider meet. We got back home at 1 o'clock. Saw some of the gliders takeoff.

A nice Fourth of July and the nice day to take a plane ride. Between here and Elmira it is very dry.

Dewitt’s Diary Thursday, July 4, 1963

Temperature 54, clear and west wind. A big change from the past ten days when it was in the 90s every day.

We unloaded two loads of bales.

I mowed down the last of the clover up by the woods this afternoon.

Went down to the lake at 6 o’clock this evening. Caught two trout, 3 ½ pounds and 5 ½ pounds.

Many red flares burning along the lake at dark.

Clear and 64 tonight.