(Lewis) The United Congregational Methodist Church in Lewis has a new old church bell.
In March, the church bell was stolen and sold for scrap iron. Last Friday, a new bell was installed at the Church.
The news releases and community members sharing stories prompted eight people to offer bells rescued from schools and churches. According to the press release for many, a new old bell from the former Methodist Church in Homer, located just west of Dayton in Hamilton County, was the right one. The bell is 143 years old and was installed on November 18.
The theft of the bell challenged the congregation, and the Church rose to declare, “We are Forgiven” and must forgive the people who stole the bell.
While waiting for the new old bell, Weirich Welding in Lewis stepped up and made a cross for the Church. The cross bears the word “Forgiveness.”
Pastor Jerry Neal refers to them as the Liberty Bell and Cross of Freedom.
The Cross and Bell will be dedicated at the Sunday, November 27, worship service. The service that usually begins at 11:00 a.m. has been moved back to 11:30 a.m.
