 
|
|
The Birth of the Bells |
The Tabernacle bells have a long history. In 1893, the bells were created and named the "Finest Chime in the U.S.A."
These 13 bells were cast to represent the original 13 colonies at our nation's birth
and used at the "Capitol's
Celebration Day," the 100th anniversary of the birth of the U.S. Capitol Building in 1893.
An article
from September 18, 1893, Evening Star tells of the event:
The chime of the thirteen bells, .... representing the thirteen
original states, was mounted on the unfinished wall of the west front of
the Congressional Library building...The bells were in full sight of an
interested audience lined up against the low stone wall of the Capitol
grounds, and grouped under the trees and in the shady walks. Everybody
wanted to be in a position to see the bells as well as hear them, and
when the shady spot became full, the crowd over flowed into the sunny
street where they stood throughout the concert. The first concert was
given at 9 o'clock and continued until nearly 11 o'clock.
The bells' first three songs played were "My Country 'tis of Thee," "Ring Out the Wild Bells," and "Old Coronation."
"My Country 'tis of Thee" still rings proudly today at the Ocean City Tabernacle.
Return to Top
|
|
On Their Way to Church |
On September 8, 1893, the enormous set of bells were purchased by George Holl and were donated to the belfry of the
First Methodist Church at Sixth and Stevens Streets, Camden, New Jersey. The largest bell was inscribed at the time
of the donation and to this day it reads:
This set of chimes is presented to the First Methodist Church, Camden, N.J., by George Holl, in memory of his
father and mother, J. George Holl and Catherine Thackara Holl, September
8, 1893.
Until July 1969, the bells were played on the Lord's Day and Wednesday "reminding the world that 'Old First Church' is still in
active service for the Lord."
Return to Top
|
|
To the Hospital |
On the first of July 1969, the corporation of Cooper Hospital acquired the deed to the old First Methodist Church
of Camden. For a time the bells laid idle in the belfry, but later, they once again
rang with life. With the
cooperation of the former church organist and a man who served the church for many years, the bells were
heard again. Even when First Methodist Church was open, the bells had often been played for ill patients across the
street from the church at Cooper Hospital. The bells continued to play on Tuesday nights, to help all in the
hospital to renew their link with God. As was pointed out by the people of Cooper, "The hospital services are but
an extension of His work and His will."
Of course, another reason the bells played, is that the people needed the sound. The people of Camden grew up
listening to the bells and they needed a place in their hearts to once again be filled by the sweet sound of the
bells. Thirty years later, the people of Cooper Hospital decided the bells could be happily heard by more people
at a better location, the Ocean City Tabernacle. The Tower and Bells
were dedicated to the glory of God on June 14, 1998.
Return to Top
|
|
 |
