Sight seen by few.....

Okay DCL readers........a real special treat today. You are all going to get to see something that few have ever seen, or will ever see. Today you are getting a close-up view of the bell, which is high-up in the steeple on The Sharon Congregational Church in Sharon!


For years we've (the men who ring the bell) been thinking the old bell was getting tougher to pull to ring, and then lately it was giving the church some good shakes and vibrations when it was rung. Well, about five weeks or so back, it was really bad, and we stopped ringing it till we could get a close inspection on it. Some volunteers stepped up to the challenge. Led by Tim Marks, representing the Prudential Board, who was joined by Chris Coons and Ray Conti. Kevin McCarthy and yours-truly joined in to make sure they did it right!(ya right) At that time, they found that a large u-shaped bolt which held one-side of the bell had finally given in to the weight and to time and stress and snapped, allowing the bell to settle on one side a few inches. Thus, every time we tried to ring it, it was all off-kilter and was just not working well at all. I'm not sure if it did let go, if it make it to the basement or not, but it sure would cause a big hole, since it weighs easily over a thousand pounds! The markings on the side say it was forged in 1825.


As it was still winter, and very cold, a plan was made on what they would do on jacking the bell back into a level, balanced position, secure it well with new bolts, and see if that didn't help restore it. And to do this all when it became warmer...Sunday was the day of repairs, and it all went extremely well. In addition to the securing, lubricating was done to all the moving parts with some good material, and I am told, (as I had to leave before they finished) it now works like the "cat's meow"!


So, Special Thanks to Tim, Ray and Chris for their dedication to not only their churches bell, but to the town's bell, after all, it is in the original meeting house for the Town of Sharon. DCL is not the historical society in any means, but we are glad to give credit to these men for a job well done. Frankly, I can't wait for Sunday the 8th, to hear it ring at 10:30 AM. I bet there may be a fight to see who gets to ring it first! Perhaps we could raffle off the first pull?