First United Methodist Church, 946 Vermont Street

The congregation at this historic downtown church is in the latter stages of a preservation project that’s been ongoing for more than a year. Some of the more critical tasks have involved dusty, gritty work, but on July 13, the congregation and our town got treated to the cherry on top: placement of the 156-year-old bell in its tower after a complete offsite refurbishment by the Verdin Bell Company in Cincinnati. The church used a $29,000 grant from the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council to complete this special task.

The refurbished bell on its way back to the tower. ( photo by Lori Ridenour)

A larger portion of the project has involved refurbishing exterior walls and identifying why some of the limestone blocks in the towers were spalling and even shedding pieces onto the sidewalks below. The cause was traced back to a pointing job in the 1980s in which an incorrect hard mortar was used. Over this past year, workers have removed the incorrect mortar down to a 1.5” depth and replaced it with softer mortar appropriate for use with historic masonry materials.

Other repairs to wood trim and masonry surfaces also have been addressed, and the bell tower received a new Vermont slate roof with stainless steel trim. A number of interior tasks have been part of this project as well. 

The 130-year-old church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was designed by John G. Haskell on a commission from former KU chancellor James Marvin, who was the church pastor in 1888. The bell is actually 26 years older than the building. It was moved from a previous location when the new church was built.

Facilities Manager Marc Ridenour has kept busy leading the congregation through the development and execution of this comprehensive work plan, and it was a thrill for him to give the bell a practice ring before it went up, and then another once it was secured in place. “I felt joy and satisfaction,” Marc says, “knowing how long the process had taken, and finally getting it back up to where it belonged, ready to ring true for another 156 years.”

Congratulations to Marc, the congregation, the Heritage Conservation Council, and everyone involved in bringing this special part of Lawrence history back to life.

Marc Ridenour rings the bell. (Yes, It’S LOUD!)