Paul Revere served primarily as a Silversmith. He made beautiful silver dinnerware for the wealthy of Boston and its environs. What people do not know is that he also had a foundry and in this manufacturing plant, he made, among other things, bells for churches and town halls. After his death his son took over the foundry and continued to make bells. In the 1820’s, a Baptist Church was located approximately across from the Dunkin Donuts on Middlesex Street in what was then East Chelmsford. The neighborhood was “hot” partially because of the fact that it bordered the Middlesex Canal. Here tourists, including the Thoreau brothers of Concord, could float up the canal to the Merrimack River and enjoy the quiet and the scenery. Many, many people came to visit East Chelmsford, and that new experiment downriver called Lowell, in the 1820’s.
When the Baptist Church was constructed they wanted the foremost foundry in the United States to make the bell which was going to call citizens of that faith to church. They went with the Revere Foundry and the Revere family to make the bell. It was a large bell, and probably floated up here on the Middlesex Canal. It was installed in the steeple, no small feat at the time. There were no cranes as there are today, and they had to install the bell with saws and hammers, bolts and buckets. When it was constructed into the steeple of the church it could be heard all over the area. How do I know that it could be heard? Because it is still ringing and is heard on Sundays in its current location.
Lowell has one of the best kept secrets hidden in Pawtucketville. It has that original Paul Revere bell in the Congregational Church across from McDonald’s on Mammoth Road at the church that fills its yard with pumpkins every October. How it got there is the story.
It sometimes happens, an old building of a historic nature burns to the ground inexpicably. That is what happened to the Baptist Church on Middlesex Street, which sat on the ground across from Wendy’s, where Wendy’s is now. The steeple caught on fire and the heavy bell, set and made in the Revere Foundry, which was known as Bell #15, crashed to the ground. The church, beset with debt from the fire, sold the Revere bell to the Congregational Church on the corner of Mammoth Road and the now called VFW Highway. Then, it was known as the Pawtucket Boulevard. The Congregational Church bought the bell, and in a parade-like procession, moved it to the spot where their new steeple was being made. Along the route, word came that John Brown was executed and one of the people walking with the bell rung it in John Brown’s memory.
When it crossed the bridge, it was strapped to a massive crane that was anchored in the dirt. Then, working together, a team of men and horses lifted the bell into place on the steeple. They rang it, supposedly as a test, but probably to say they rang the Paul Revere bell. It is still heard throughout Pawtucketville and the Acre across the river on any given Sunday.
At the Lowell Motor Boat Club, we can see the church clearly across the water. Its image reflects in the water. Photos of the bell are not so easily dispensed. One of our members got to see the bell when he went to the church for “Open Doors” Lowell Day. He was kind enough to take some pictures and verified that the bell was cast in the Revere Foundry, and that it was the fifteenth bell cast out of 100. At least, I believe that is what he told me. He got the information from the Pastor or Curator or someone in the church.
I would not recommend that you insist on seeing the bell. It is very hard to get to, and fraught with difficulties. In addition, it is not really in a well-traveled area. The stairs and ladder to get to it are dangerous and the church does not want to see a crowd of people just looking for a glimpse at Lowell’s second most famous bell (in my opinion, the most famous bell is in the Boott Mills). Just be satisfied knowing that it exists and is well-cared for.
I was having dinner at La Boniche when it was on Gorham Street in the old Nickie’s Bar, which is famous as a Kerouac hang-out. My brother-in-law, the famous one, was being told history stories by yours truly when he asked how many bells there were in Lowell. I did not have the answer to that one, so he called City Manager Brian Martin the next day and asked him to ascertain how many bells there were still in their cradles. The answer, Brian told me, was twenty-two. This is a story about one of them. It is a good story. Do not forget to tell your children and grandchildren about Lowell’s famous bell. They will be fascinated.
I simply want to mention I’m newbie to weblog and certainly enjoyed your web page. Probably I’m want to bookmark your site . You surely have excellent writings. Bless you for revealing your web-site.
F*ckin? tremendous things here. I am extremely satisfied to see your post. Thank you so much and i’m taking a look forward to contact you. Will you please drop me a mail?
You are my inhalation, I own few blogs and infrequently run out from post :). “No opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.” by W. H. Auden.
Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Excellent. I’m also a specialist in this topic so I can understand your effort.
Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am inspired! Extremely useful info specially the closing section 🙂 I take care of such information much. I used to be looking for this certain information for a very lengthy time. Thanks and best of luck.
Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch! “One who’s our friend is fond of us one who’s fond of us isn’t necessarily our friend.” by Geoffrey F. Albert.
Simply wanna input on few general things, The website style is perfect, the content material is very good : D.
I regard something genuinely special in this web site.
Oh my goodness! an incredible write-up dude. Thanks Nevertheless I am experiencing concern with ur rss . Do not know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting equivalent rss drawback? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
Have not had a problem with the RSS. Give it another try.
Thanks, I have recently been looking for info about this subject for a while and yours is the best I’ve came upon so far. But, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the source?
Real nice style and fantastic articles , absolutely nothing else we need : D.
Pingback: mortgage broker Toronto
F*ckin’ amazing things podiscsd here. I am very glad to see your post. Thanks a lot and i’m looking forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
Here’s my email. What do you want to know?
Wow, awesome blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is wonderful, let alone the content!
I have been surfing online more than three hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
I have odpdoss noticed that in cameras, exceptional detectors help to focus automatically. The particular sensors regarding some video cameras change in in the area of contrast, while others utilize a beam of infra-red (IR) light, specifically in low light. Higher standards cameras often use a combination of both methods and probably have Face Priority AF where the video camera can ‘See’ a new face and focus only upon that. Many thanks for sharing your opinions on this web site.
Can I just say what a aid to search out somebody who pdodtsysv actually knows what theyre speaking about on the internet. You definitely know how you can carry a difficulty to gentle and make it important. Extra folks must read this and perceive this aspect of the story. I cant believe youre not more standard since you positively have the gift.
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the subject matter and found most individuals will consent with your website.
Hello hofpdds, i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
Only if you credit me if I am quoted.
My brother suggested I might like this web site. He was totally right. This post truly made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Sweet blog podiscsd! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Cheers
Your place is valueble for me pdodusys. Thanks!…
F*ckin’ amazing things here. I am very happy to peer your post. Thank you so much and i’m looking forward to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
What is the best astrologer for marriage?
Awsome pouidysv post and straight to the point. I am not sure if this is truly the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thx 🙂
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
There may be pouidysv noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain good points in features also.
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you really know what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please additionally consult with my web site =). We may have a hyperlink trade arrangement between us!