The Laying of the Cornerstone of Pelhamville's Church of the Redeemer on June 21, 1892

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For many years a beautiful church building stood in the Village of North Pelham.  It was the Church of the Redeemer.  The church congregation laid the cornerstone for the structure on June 23, 1892.  It stood for many years on Second Avenue in today's Village of Pelham.

The church congregation later built what became its combined Parish Hall and Church located at 20 Fifth Avenue.  Today that structure is the Richard J. Daronco Town House that serves as the Town of Pelham's community center.

In 1969, the original Church of the Redeemer was vacant and suffered a terrible fire. Authorities made a decision to raze the structure.  Within a short time (1974), the Church of the Redeemer combined with Christ Church in the Village of Pelham Manor to create the Parish of Christ the Redeemer.  Three years later the Church deeded the Parish Hall and Church at 20 Fifth Avenue to the Town of Pelham for use as a community center.

1910 Post Card View of the Original Church of the Redeemer.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

The early history of the original Church of the Redeemer is quite fascinating. A simple ceremony celebrated the laying of the cornerstone for the Church of the Redeemer on June 23, 1892.  A group of clergy from throughout the region gathered at the site.  Mrs. Isaac C. Hill led a children's choir that performed appropriate songs.  The Rector, Cornelius Winter Bolton, read an extensive history of the small church and the cornerstone was laid.  The cornerstone had a Maltese cross and the date "1892" chiseled on its face.  Within the cornerstone, those gathered that day placed a copper box to serve as a time capsule.  That time capsule contained a number of items (listed in the article quoted below) including the day's newspapers, 1892 silver coins, church publications, and much more.  The time capsule also contained a copy of the history of the church prepared by Rev. Bolton and read at the time of the cornerstone laying.

It is fortunate that Reverend Cornelius Winter Bolton's entire history was published in a local newspaper two days later.  As one would expect, it sheds important light on the early history of the Church of the Redeemer. 

The cornerstone and the bell from the original Church of the Redeemer now stand as a monument in front of the Richard J. Daronco Town House on Fifth Avenue in Pelham.  The recovery of the cornerstone and the rediscovery of the forgotten time capsule within make for a fascinating story as well. 

Cornerstone and Bell from the Original Church

of the Redeemer.  Now Kept as a Monument in

Front of the Richard J. Daronco Town House on

Fifth Avenue in the Village of Pelham.  Photograph

by the Author, 2004.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

On December 18, 1969, a demolition crew worked to demolish the Church of the Redeemer.  According to papers in the collection of The Office of The Historian of The Town of Pelham, "as the steeple roof and large stone chimney fell . . . North Pelham Police Chief Adolph V. Rusillo stopped by."  Chief Rusillo asked whether anyone had thought to remove the cornerstone of the building so it could be kept by the congregation at the congregation's new location in the combined Parish Hall and Church at 20 Fifth Avenue.  To his surprise, no such arrangements had been made.

Chief Rusillo thoughtfully asked that the cornerstone be removed and saved.  As the stone was lifted, a heavy copper box appeared beneath -- an 1892 time capsule placed by the congregation 77 years earlier!  Within that time capsule were the items listed by Reverend Bolton when he delivered his remarks at the laying of that cornerstone.  (See below.)

Drawing of the Church of the Redeemer,

as it was Planned to be Built, Published

in 1892.  Source:  Corner Stone Laying --

THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER BEGUN --

A Pretty Edifice For Pelhamville -- HISTORY

OF THE PARISH, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon,

NY], Jun. 23, 1892, Vol. 1, No. 72, p. 2, cols. 2-4.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"Corner Stone Laying
-----
THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER BEGUN.
-----
A Pretty Edifice For Pelhamville.
-----
HISTORY OF THE PARISH.
-----

Tuesday was a great day for Pelhamville, our thrifty neighbor to the east, especially among the parishioners of the Church of the Redeemer the corner stone of whose new edifice was laid with imposing ceremonies by the Rt. Rev. H. C. Potter, assisted by Arch-deacon F. B. Van Kleeck, assisted by the Revs. Charles Higbee, Pelham; Charles Smeck, Norwalk, Conn.; John Drissler, Gouverneur Cruger; Thomas Siel, of New York; John Bolton, Westchester, Pa.; William Samuel Coffey, Eastchester; Stephen F. Homes. Harry I. Bodley, of Mount Vernon.  The singing was in charge of Mrs. I. C. Hill, and was rendered by a chorus of children in a manner to elicit warm praise.

The history of the parish was prepared and read by the Rector, C. Winter Bolton, which appears in full in this connection.

The architect of the new edifice was Henry S. Rapelye, of this city; W. A. Thomas, of Rye, mason; builder, James Thompson, of Rose Bank, Staten Island; metal work, Richard V. Drake, Mount Vernon; slating, F. T. Rich; glass, Tyrolese Art Glass Company, of New York.

HISTORY.

This Parish was commenced in 1859-'60 by Miss Nanette Bolton, of Pelham Priory, who was asked to come over and hold a Sunday school by a resident of the place as they had no religious worship there.  The first service was held in the orchard under the trees.  Miss Bolton was assisted by the lady teachers residing with her.  Soon after this the Misses Schyuler [sic] were urged to join the mission party, and the work was committed into their hands.  A service was held by the Rev. John Bolton in the upper room of the R. R. depot.

After this the loft of a carpenter's shop was obtained which the people had to ascend by means of a ladder.

The classes from the first were well attended by adults and children.  At length the use of the school house was procured.  Here services were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Lyle, Rector of Christ Church, Pelham.  The building was unusually full.  This continued for two years.  Mr. Schuyler, Senior Warden of Christ Church, united with the Rector in trying to obtain a site and building for permanent worship.  They succeeded in buying the present lot on Fourth avenue, and also an old carpenters shop which was moved and placed on the lot.  Money was raised by subscription among friends to pay for it.  But the work was suddenly arrested by the death of Mr. Schuyler in 1865.  During the absence of Misses Schuylers Miss Bolton again assumed charge.

The Rev. Mr. Lyle resigned Christ Church, Pelham, to return to the mission in China, and the Rev. Mr. Harding was called to the Parish Church.  In 1869 the Misses Schuyler returned to work at the request of Miss Bolton who found that her duties at home required all her time. 

In 1870, on the resignation of Mr. Harding, the Rev. Mr. Higbee, present incumbent, was called to the parish.  He thought it would be to the interest of the mission to throw it on its own resources.  The services of a student from the General Theological Seminary were secured and Mr. Pentreath commenced as a Lay Reader.  In February, 1872, he called a meeting of the villagers for the purpose of organizing a parish, and it was Resolved, 'That they incorporate as a distinct church and parish to be known as The Church of the Redeemer, Pelhamville.'

The first wardens were Wm. H. Sparks and James Parish.  The vestry were Ed. A. Patterson, Jas. W. Roosevelt, Chas. Barker, Wm. H. Johnson, John Case, Frederick Wahl, Wm. H. Penfield and William H. Leonard.  The first vestry meeting was held on March 6th, 1872.  The church at Pelham then handed over to them the deed of the property.

Robt. W. Barnwell, another student, succeeded Mr. Pentreath.  The Rev. Dr. Coffey, rector of St. Paul's, Eastchester, kindly officiated when either of the sacraments were desired.  From 1872 to '80 the parish was served by students.  There was no visible growth in the place, rather a backward tendency, and it was a constant anxiety to all interests to sustain and provide for its support. 

At the expiration of 18 months Mr. Barnwell was ordained, and left.  The Rev. Mr. Howell, rector of Grace Church, City Island, was requested to take charge of the work in connection with his own.  This he did for a short time until he removed to New York City.

The neighboring clergy were then asked to look after the little parish and give an afternoon service.  This they kindly consented to do for some time.

Again it was thought wise to look once more to the seminary for a student, and Mr. Beavan took charge of the work.  He was followed by Mr. Nelligan, but in his health soon failed and he died in Bellevue Hospital, New York. 

Here a cloud arose and threatened the welfare of the parish for a few months.  During this period it was thought best to return the deed of the property to the rector, wardens and vestrymen of Christ Church, Pelham, to prevent its passing into the hands of another denomination.  On the return of spring the clouds began to disperse.  The Misses Schuyler and Miss Bolton again rallied to the rescue, and the services of the Rev. Mr. Lewis, of New York City, were secured.  This arrangement lasted for about a year, when he left for England.

I was strongly urged to take charge of the work, which I did on the first Sunday in November, 1880, and found an interesting male Bible class under the charge of Miss Fanny Schuyler, a female Bible class under Miss Bolton's care, while the smaller children were grouped in classes under different teachers.  There were 21 families and 18 communicants on the roll.   There was only a Sunday afternoon service.  The next Sunday we commenced a morning service as well as the afternoon.  The two services have been sustained ever since. 

The first thing to be done was to reorganize the parish without delay, and a request was made to the rector, wardens and vestry of Christ Church to return the deeds of the property which had been entrusted to their care.  This they kindly granted.

It was felt necessary that the rector should live among the people.  There being no house, it was proposed to build a parsonage.  In the fall of 1886 the rectory was completed and has been occupied ever since.

The lot on which the rectory stands was bought by the vestry, and Mrs. H. H. Seaver very generously gave the remaining three lots, on one of which the church is now being built.

We have at present 47 families belonging to the church, with 57 communicants and a Sunday school of over 50 children.

We would take this opportunity to thank the neighboring clergy for all their past favors; and Almighty God for His protecting care and many blessings.

THE CONTENTS OF THE BOX.

A Bible and Prayer Book.
Copy of the last General Convention.
Copy of the last Journal of the Diocese of New York.
Digest of the Canons.
Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of New York.  1888.
83d Report of the New York Bible and Common Prayer Book Society.  1891.
The Church Almanac for 1892.
Whittaker's Churchman's Almanac for 1892.
Copy of the New York Churchman, June 18, 1892.
Copy of The Parish Visitor for June, 1892.
A 'History of the Parish,' as read by the rector.
Silver coins for 1892.
Copy of the New York Tribune for Jun. 21, 1892.
Copy of the Mount Vernon Chronicle.
A list of the present church officers, Sunday School teachers and choir."


Source:  Corner Stone Laying -- THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER BEGUN -- A Pretty Edifice For Pelhamville -- HISTORY OF THE PARISH, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jun. 23, 1892, Vol. 1, No. 72, p. 2, cols. 2-4. 

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I have written about the Church of the Redeemer on a number of occasions. For examples, see: 

Fri., May 02, 2014:  Early History of the Church of the Redeemer in the Village of North Pelham.

Fri., Feb. 28, 2014:  Brief History of the Role Churches Played in the Growth of the Pelhams Published in 1926. 

Wed., Nov. 08, 2006:  The Time Capsule in the Cornerstone of the Church of the Redeemer in the Village of North Pelham. 

Wed., Mar. 15, 2006:  A Biography of Cornelius W. Bolton Published in 1899. 

Mon., Mar. 07, 2005:  What is That Bell Resting on a Stone Pedestal in Front of the Richard J. Daronco Townhouse at 20 Fifth Avenue?

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Early History of the Church of the Redeemer in the Village of North Pelham

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

For many years a beautiful church building stood in the Village of North Pelham. It was the house of worship of the Church of the Redeemer. The church congregation laid the cornerstone for the structure on June 23, 1892. It stood for many years on Second Avenue in today's Village of Pelham.  (See image below.)

1910 Post Card View of the Original Church of the Redeemer.

The church congregation later built what became its combined Parish Hall and Church located at 20 Fifth Avenue. Today that structure is the Daronco Town House that serves as the Town of Pelham's community center. 

In 1969, the Church of the Redeemer was vacant and suffered a terrible fire. Authorities made a decision to raze the structure. Within a short time (1974), the Church of the Redeemer combined with Christ Church in the Village of Pelham Manor to create the Parish of Christ the Redemer. Three years later the Church deeded the Parish Hall and Church at 20 Fifth Avenue to the Town of Pelham for use as a community center. 

There stands in front of the Daronco Town House a memorial to the church building of the Church of the Redeemer that once stood on Second Avenue. The cornerstone laid on June 23, 1892 sits at the base of the memorial. It has "1892" carved into it. The church bell rests atop the memorial.  (See image below.)  

Cornerstone and Bell from the Original Church of the Redeemer.

Now Kept as a Monument in Front of the Richard J. Daronco Town House

On Fifth Avenue in the Village of Pelham.

I have written about the Church of the Redeemer on a number of occasions.  For examples, see:  

Fri., Feb. 28, 2014:  Brief History of the Role Churches Played in the Growth of the Pelhams Published in 1926.

Wed., Nov. 08, 2006:  The Time Capsule in the Cornerstone of the Church of the Redeemer in the Village of North Pelhamhttp://historicpelham.blogspot.com/2006/11/time-capsule-in-cornerstone-of-church.html.  

Wed., Mar. 15, 2006:  A Biography of Cornelius W. Bolton Published in 1899.

Mon., Mar. 07, 2005:  What is That Bell Resting on a Stone Pedestal in Front of the Richard J. Daronco Townhouse at 20 Fifth Avenue?

Today's Historic Pelham Blog posting transcribes an article published in 1927 that detailed the history of the Church of the Redeemer.  The article provides interesting information about the early years of the church.  It is transcribed immediately below, followed by a citation to its source.  

"WOMAN'S WORK STARTS CHURCH
-----
Interesting Is History of Church of Redeemer at North Pelham
-----
PLAN NEW EDIFICE
-----
Plans Have Been Drawn for Attractive Edifice -- 300 Families Affiliated
-----

To a woman belongs the honor of having started the religious work upon which the Church of the Redeemer, North Pelham, was ultimately built.

This woman was Miss Bolton, of Pelham Priory.

With the assistance of the Misses Schuyler, grand-daughters of General Schuyler of Revolutionary fame, she commenced the first Sunday school in the village in 1859.  This school first met in the loft of a carpenter's shop somewhere near the site of the present church building.  Within a brief period this carpenter's shop, becoming two crowded, was vacated, and the sessions of the Sunday school continued in the public school, a frame building, then located on Fourth street, directly opposite the present Hutchinson school.

Site Purchased

About 1864, it was deemed advisable to secure an edifice in which religious services as well as Sunday school work could be carried on.  With this in view, a site of land was purchased with the help of numerous friends on the easterly side of Fourth avenue, between Second and Third streets.  At the same time the carpenter's shop where the Sunday school first began, was purchased and placed upon the lot.  With a few alterations, this unpretentious structure was converted into a chapel or mission hall, where the Sunday school work was continued and where, in addition, public religious services were held -- the first ever held in North Pelham.  This building is still standing, though it is now used as a private dwelling.  

From its inception this religious enterprise had been regarded as an adjunct to the work of Christ's church, Pelham Manor.   The rector there, the late Rev. Edward W. Syles, frequently visiting it to conduct services and to administer the sacraments.  

Independent Parish

By the year 1872, the cause had grown so strong that it became an independent parish.  The exact date of its incorporation was February 27, 1872.  As yet, however, there was no settled pastor.  Annually, a student from the General Theological seminary was engaged to act in the capacity of missionary in charge, whose duties consisted in visiting the people on Saturdays and preaching on Sundays.  This arrangement continued for three or four years.

After a time, it became apparent that the church's independence had been granted too early, for out of that fact sprang seeds of disruption.  In the absence of an authoritative head some of the more prominent workers became very much disaffected about questions of church government.  Though there were other contributory causes of unrest and dissatisfaction, these were the principal disturbing elements, with the consequence that a movement was started in favor of a Union church.  To this movement nearly all the members seceded in a body.  For two years the little church was closed, and being heavily in debt, the deed of the property was returned to the mother church.  So hopeless did the situation appear of ever being able to resuscitate the cause that the vestry of the mother church contemplated selling the little property to the leaders of the Unionist movement, and doubtless would have done so, had not those friends, who had inaugurated the work, returned at this juncture to advise and plead for its retention.

Ladies Reorganize

With splendid zeal these ladies began immediately to reorganize the work and soon had the satisfaction of seeing the whole scattered flock return to the fold.  A few years after this unfortunate episode the Rev. Cornelius Winter Bolton was elected rector.  His incumbency commenced in 1881 and continued until 1906.  Under his care the work grew apace.  Within four years he secured a new site for the church, an acre in extent, and built upon it the present rectory.  In another five years he had so reduced the debt upon it that with the aid of a legacy bequeathed by Mrs. Harriet Leaver of Mount Vernon, the church building was freed completely from debt and on Rev. Mr. Bolton's eightieth birthday, June 3, 1899, was consecrated, with imposing ceremonies by the late Bishop H.C. Potter.  

With the advent of the present rector, the Rev. Herbert Haight Brown, in 1907, the church took on a new lease of life.  Within two or three years the membership was doubled as was also the income and attendance at church services.  From being a mission, receiving financial assistance annually from the diocese, it became an independent and self-supporting parish.  A special fund of $5,000 was also raised to liquidate a longstanding mortgage of $2,000 that remained on the rectory and to discharge many currant [sic] liabilities.  A choir room was built under the church and a vested choir formed -- the first in the town of Pelham.  A Sunday school was also established in Pelham Heights and maintained for many years.

By 1914, it became apparent to many parishioners that the present site was undesirable.  It was urged that it was not sufficiently centrally located to minister to the church services.  It was not strategic enough to command the notice of people in general, nor did it share as it should in the natural growth of the town.  A new movement was inaugurated to find a site more centrally located.  Eventually in 1919 the vestry was formally authorized to purchase a new site at the juncture of Harmon avenue and Fifth avenue for $16,500.  [NOTE:  Today's Richard J. Daronco Town House.]  This was done and immediately paid for.  On this splendid building plot of more than an acre in extent a new church, parish house and rectory will be built in the near future.  Plans have been drawn by Frank M. Snyder and accepted by the vestry.  The present church is regarded as inadequate.  All the pews are rented though Pelham has by no means attained its full growth and development.  The communicant list contains 340 names.  Nearly 300 families are in one way or another connected with the church.  There are almost 200 children in the Sunday school.

The following men constitute the vestry:  wardens, Isaac C. Hill, Arthur R. Van De Water; vestrymen, Harold W. Davis, Anthony M. Menkel, Bernard Wragge Walter E. Bunnell, James Harper, Lawrence B. Wardrop, Harry S. Abbott, Herbert J. Bickford and Charles H. Eyler.

There are various organizations in connection with the church of which the following are the principals:  The Laymen's association, the Parish Guild, the Woman's auxiliary, the Chancel Guild, the Periodical club, the Young People's society, and the Rector's Helpers.

Towards the new building project, the vestry has on hand about $10,000 cash and on the present site a potential asset of at least $80,000.  It is estimated that the new buildings will cost when completed about $200,000."

Source:  NEW CHURCH IN THE TOWN, The Daily Argus [Mount Vernon, NY], Jan. 19, 1927, Special Pelham Section, p. 5, cols. 6-8.  

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Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

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What is That Bell Resting on a Stone Pedestal in Front of the Richard J. Daronco Townhouse at 20 Fifth Avenue?

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.

Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

If you live in Pelham, NY, you likely have been inside the Richard J. Daronco Townhouse or at least passed it hundreds if not thousands of times. Though you may never have given it a second thought, perhaps you have noticed the large bell resting on a stone pedestal in front of the building to the left of the entrance. That bell, shown in the image below, is an interesting part of Pelham's history.

Bell Atop Pedestal with Cornerstone / Datestone

Embedded Below.  Source:  Photograph by the

Author, 2003.

If you inspect the bell and its stone pedestal closely, you will learn a little, but not much, about its origins. On its front (facing Fifth Avenue), the bell contains the following inscription:

"IN MEMORY OF
JOHN PELL LORD of the MANOR
PHILIP JACOB RHINELANDER
ANTONE LISPENARD
1669 + 1894 [+ = Maltese Cross]
PRESENTED by their DESCENDANTS
HOWLAND PELL WILLIAM RHINELANDER
T. J. OAKLEY RHINELANDER
PHILIP RHINELANDER & HENRY G. TREVOR
'COME FOR ALL THINGS ARE READY.'"

On the rear of the bell (facing the Town House) is the following inscription:

"CLINTON H. MENEELY
BELL COMPANY
TROY, N. Y.
A.D. 1892."

At the foot of the stone pedestal is a memorial plaque that reads as follows:

"IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
MY BELOVED PARENTS,
JAMES AND HELEN LEALE
HARPER
FROM THEIR DEVOTED DAUGHTER
HELEN LEALE HARPER, JR."

At the very base of the pedestal is a large datestone that contains a cross and the date "1892" carved into it.

The bell and the datestone are from The Church of The Redeemer in Pelhamville. That church began as a mission station of Christ Church in the Manor of Pelham in 1859 when a resident of Pelhamville (today's Village of Pelham north of the New Haven Line railroad tracks) asked Nanette Bolton to come and hold a Sunday school for the neighborhood. The first meeting was held in an orchard under the trees.

Soon it was apparent that local residents would support a church in the neighborhood. One of Robert Bolton's sons, the Rev. John Bolton, began holding services in the "upper room" of the tiny little wooden Pelhamville railroad station on the New Haven Line and, later, in the loft of a nearby carpenter's shop that had to be entered by a ladder.

Attendance at the services grew. The services were moved to the little wooden Pelhamville schoolhouse that stood near today's Hutchinson School.

The Senior Warden of Christ Church in Pelham Manor and the Rector arranged the purchase of a lot on Fourth Avenue as well as an old "carpenter's shop" that was moved and placed on the lot to become the first permanent church building in the area.

The parish had some early difficulties and was even reorganized in 1881. One of Robert Bolton's sons, the Rev. Cornelius Winter Bolton became the first Rector of the newly-reorganized church.

In 1892, as the datestone beneath the bell indicates, the parish built a lovely stone church of modified English Gothic style. The congregation worshipped in the lovely building for many decades.

By 1920, however, the leaders of the parish conluded that the "Church could have no future, if it remained where it was" on Fourth Avenue. They purchased a lot at 20 Fifth Avenue to build a new church.

Preparations took years, but on September 28, 1928, the cornerstone for a new Parish House was laid on the lot at 20 Fifth Avenue. The Parish House, which we know today as the Richard J. Daronco Town House, was built of colorful stone from quarries in Yonkers. The opening exercises and dedication of the new Parish House took place on May 5, 1930. The bell and datestone from the lovely church building on Fourth Avenue were placed as a memorial in front of the new church.

The Church of The Redeemer served residents of the Village of North Pelham for many decades. According to a recently prepared history of the Parish of Christ The Redeemer, however, by the early 1970s "it had become clear that the town of Pelham could no longer support two Episcopal parishes."

At about this time, the Episcopal Diocese pursued a project called "Mission 72" requiring every parish to formulate meaningful plans for the future. As a recent history of the parish puts it: "Mission 72 provided the impetus for Christ Church and the Church of The Redeemer to look seriously at merging into one parish."

After careful consideration by the two congregations and both vestries, "a decision was made to become the united Parish of Christ the Redeemer. Christ Church was selected as the house of worship and the property of the Church of the Redeemer was turned over to the Town of Pelham to be used for a municipal hall, a center for senior citizens and a child care facility." This, of course, is what we know today as The Richard J. Daronco Town House located at 20 Fifth Avenue.

Residents of Pelham donated the bell to The Church of The Redeemer. Among those residents, who believed themselves to be descendants of John Pell, 2nd Lord of the Manor of Pelham, was Howland Pell, a local historian who had studied and written about the history of the Pell family and Pelham.

The Clinton H. MeNeely Bell Company, Troy New York

Clinton H. Meneely, who lived from 1839 to 1923, was the youngest of three sons of Andrew Meneely. During the late 1860s, Clinton Meneely opened a bell foundry on the east bank of the Hudson River opposite a foundry started by his father and run by his two brothers. Though they were family, they competed intensely with one another for the nation's bell casting business.

Early in the history of the firm, Clinton Meneely worked with a man named George Harzard Kimberly whose sister had married into the Meneely family. The firm initially was named "Meneely and Kimberly". It was located in Troy, New York on the east side of River Street between Washington Street and Adams Street.

According to a variety of sources, Meneely & Kimberly cast its first bell in January, 1871. In about 1880 the firm changed its name to the Clinton H. Meneely Bell Co. The firm shipped its last Bell in April, 1951 after which it closed.

There is a large amount of excellent information about the Clinton H. Meneely Bell Co. available on the Web. To learn more about the company, and the related company begun by Clinton H. Meneely's father, Andrew, see:  Meneely Bell Online Museum.

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