1 The OPEN DOOR 17500 Manchester Road Wildwood, Missouri 63038 www.BethelUnitedMethodist.org Phone: 636.458.2255 FAX: 636.458.2251 Heard through Volume 16 Number 1 January-February, 2020 Editors: Chylene Daub & Shirley Giebel RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR: The Bell of Bethel A real team effort. During last year’s great decluttering, Karl Schoenefeld put aside a VHS tape and some other historical records and gave the box to Diana Camden for safe keeping in the office. The box got set aside until our new Secretary Ginger laughingly said she had been tripping over it and found the tape! How to play it? VHS tapes have gone the way of the dodo bird. To the rescue came Tom Koonce who was able to transfer the 1999 VHS to a CD disc. Loaded into the computer it could be viewed, listened to and transcribed. The photos—seen here—are screen shots taken with a cell phone camera. Getting into the belfry to take photos is not an option, according to Ron Guentz, who pointed out the very, small narrow access in the ceiling of the vestibule, and the need for a very tall ladder. Jerry Benedict, our resi- dent bell ringer, helped with anecdotal material and a demonstration of the strength it takes to ring the bell. What follows is to the best of our knowledge a unique view from the tape of Bethel’s Bell as it hangs in the church steeple, and still rings! A History of Trying Times. Our bell will ring in the 2020 New Year as it has since it was hoisted into place in 1874—most likely preas- sembled in its frame and bolted onto the frame inside the steeple- which was built on the ground and then hoisted aloft. According to the 100 year history written by Rev. Gooch., a crane to lift the stee- ple was loaned by the St. Louis Marble Company. The bell, we are told, cost $40. We learn from the tape that ours in an iron bell weigh- ing in excess of 200 pounds, probably cast by and bought from the Seneca, New York company of Gould-Ostlander, which also was a reseller of bells and hardware supply in St Louis County, and adver- tised in the St. Louis County Record. While the cost of the bell does not seem much in today’s world, consider the plight of the Bethel building committee and the persons contracted to build Bethel. The decision to build was made in 1873. In 1874 during its construction the administration of Ulysses S. Grant was ending and the economic structure of our country which came crashing down in the Panic of 1873, suffered five years of depression and unemploy- ment. Our church was completed, none-the-less, and dedicated in 1875.
Transcript
1
The OPEN DOOR
17500 Manchester Road
Wildwood, Missouri 63038
www.BethelUnitedMethodist.org
Phone: 636.458.2255 FAX: 636.458.2251
Heard through
Volume 16 Number 1 January-February, 2020
Editors: Chylene Daub & Shirley Giebel
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR: The Bell of Bethel
A real team effort. During last year’s great decluttering, Karl Schoenefeld put aside a VHS tape
and some other historical records and gave the box to Diana Camden for safe keeping in the
office. The box got set aside until our new Secretary Ginger laughingly said she had been tripping
over it and found the tape! How to play it? VHS tapes have gone the way of the dodo bird. To the
rescue came Tom Koonce who was able to transfer the 1999 VHS to a CD disc. Loaded into the
computer it could be viewed, listened to and transcribed. The photos—seen here—are screen
shots taken with a cell phone camera. Getting into the belfry to take photos is not an option,
according to Ron Guentz, who pointed out the very, small narrow access in the ceiling of the
vestibule, and the need for a very tall ladder. Jerry Benedict, our resi-
dent bell ringer, helped with anecdotal material and a demonstration
of the strength it takes to ring the bell. What follows is to the best of
our knowledge a unique view from the tape of Bethel’s Bell as it
hangs in the church steeple, and still rings!
A History of Trying Times. Our bell will ring in the 2020 New Year
as it has since it was hoisted into place in 1874—most likely preas-
sembled in its frame and bolted onto the frame inside the steeple-
which was built on the ground and then hoisted aloft. According to
the 100 year history written by Rev. Gooch., a crane to lift the stee-
ple was loaned by the St. Louis Marble Company. The bell, we are
told, cost $40. We learn from the tape that ours in an iron bell weigh-
ing in excess of 200 pounds, probably cast by and bought from the
Seneca, New York company of Gould-Ostlander, which also was a
reseller of bells and hardware supply in St Louis County, and adver-
tised in the St. Louis County Record. While the cost of the bell does
not seem much in today’s world, consider the plight of the Bethel
building committee and the persons contracted to build Bethel. The
decision to build was made in 1873. In 1874 during its construction
the administration of Ulysses S. Grant was ending and the economic structure of our country
which came crashing down in the Panic of 1873, suffered five years of depression and unemploy-
ment. Our church was completed, none-the-less, and dedicated in 1875.
2
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR: The Bell of Bethel (continued)
A Campanologist Comes to Bethel. On the VHS Bell tape, dated May
9,1999, Forest Lashly, then chairman of the Administrative Council, intro-
duces us to Carl Zimmerman, versed in the art of campanology—the
study of bell casting and ringing. Zimmerman was enthusiastic about bell
ringing and interested in our Bell, and Lashly invited him to take a look.
Up in the tower at Bethel, Zimmerman notes the Bethel Bell “is unlike any-
thing else he’d seen in St. Louis.” Though no name or date is stamped on
our bell, which is common to iron bells because they were mass produced
in reusable molds, he says, “it does have a No. 7 in raised lettering on the
side of the bell, which is unusual—the first time I’ve seen an iron bell with
a number.” The first thing you notice in these photos of the bell is the
heavy rust that has formed on the iron bell.
“Inside, Zimmerman notes, “where the clapper
strikes the bell it is shiny. The clapper only
strikes two sides.” His measurements show
the bell at the top, called the shoulder,
is 9 inches across; it is about 18 inches
high and 29.5 inches in diameter at the
lip. The clapper is flattened on four
sides so it strikes correctly. “The strike
tone,” Zimmerman says, “is an E, with
the following vibrating ‘hum’ tone an A
below it.” The clapper is held by shack-
les that should they come loose would
not be able to be repaired and the bell
would have to be replaced.
Some Random Interesting Facts. An iron contraption appears to curl
from under and to the side of the edge of the bell in a curved C-shaped
spoke wheel. The bell pull- rope goes around a pulley. "This is an ingenious idea, allowing the bell to
swing” Zimmerman notes, “otherwise without it, when the bell is pulled, it might tip over.” Bethel’s
bell, is placed so it swings side to side, an advantage because the tone rings up and down
Manchester Road running in front of the church. There are plain bearings with cups that were filled
with grease, but in time these go dry. Because there is so much contact surface, Zimmerman ex-
plains, they can run dry for many years without a problem. The inside of the steeple was screened at
some later time to prevent wasps or bird intrusion. There may have one time been another rope hole
which attached to a lever that would have made the bell capable of tolling in the serious sound used
at funerals.
Ringing the Bell Today at Bethel. Jerry Benedict says it was Arlene and George Gaehle who one
Sunday asked him to ring the bell so they might hear it. And that’s how you often get an ongoing job
at Bethel! It is a job that Jerry relishes. When asked if he thinks anyone is motivated to come to
church when they hear the ringing bell, he is quick to tell the story of Red Kelp, a Bethel neighbor
who lived just down the road. Red Kelp loved to hear Bethel’s bell. He would say to his son, “Get the
truck. It’s time to go to church.” No matter that it wasn’t Bethel. It is all God’s work. Mr. Kelp passed
and was buried in Bethel Cemetery. Mr. Kelp’s daughter asked Jerry if he could toll the bell that one
somber ring as they drove by. He was able to grant that wish. May the Bethel bell ring in the 2020
New Year and many more!
The Bell Clapper
Carl Zimmerman
The Bell Ringing
3
Welcoming a New Bethel Member
Joined by her son Eric and Pastor Bob, following
Sunday service December 15, Candice McBain
shook hands with the congregation who came for-
ward to welcome her as Bethel’s newest church
member. In the brief, but touching ceremony for
membership, Candice (who first came to Bethel for a
Chicken Supper) said the welcoming and the good
friends she has made at Bethel were reasons to take
this formal step to become a member. Earlier she lit
the third advent candle at the morning’s service.
Welcome Candice!
Angel Tree 2019!
Don and Diana Walsh thank everyone who partici-
pated in providing Christmas gifts for this year’s
Angel Tree. The gifts are given at a Christmas party
for the children of present and former inmates
through the Christian-based Prison Gate Ministry.
(See December 2019 Open Door or look for it post-
ed on Bethel’s website.) Bethel members stepped
up with three gifts for 25 categories by age and gen-
der which were delivered on time by the Walsh’s
despite the ice and snow storm that descended on
St. Louis. We are pleased to be able to share with
you these two photos to let each know the joy you
bring to these children. We have written permission
to use the photos in Open Door and online.
Cookie Walk a Success!
No surprise that Bethel’s annual Cookie Walk and
Christmas Boutique was a success, as always. Bethel
bakers brought beautiful trays of homemade cookies
and candy for the sale. Shoppers were lined up at the
door long before 9 a.m. to get the best selection. Barb
Jacobs (center) was chairperson this year. She is
pictured with Diane Koonce, and Sheila Olive looks on.
Just look at these smiles!
4
Our congregation took part
in decorating the sanctuary
Christmas tree.
5
REMEMBRANCES
On Christmas Eve, our chancel area contained beautiful red poinsettias that were purchased In Memory or In Honor of the following people:
In Memory of…. From…….
Earl & Verda Nell Bartman Jan Allerdissen
Edna & Darrel Foster Shirley Giebel
Donna Guentz Ron Guentz
Harvey Kroenung & loved ones Inez Kroenung
Harvey Krueger Ruth Anne Krueger
Harry Lee & Leota Atwell Ruth Anne Krueger
Ethel Rue Scott Rue
Our parents Karl & Diane Schoenefeld
Our parents Don & Roberta Verbeck
Our parents Diana Walsh
In Honor of…. From…….
Patrick, Regan, Harvey, Anabelle Carla DeSalme
& Henry Dooley
Derick, Anne & Sawyer DeSalme Carla DeSalme
Ruth Breckenfeld Tony & Suzi Hladky
Rue Family Scott Rue
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Bethel Bingo - - - Say Merry Christmas!
A Holiday Twist Throughout Fellowship Hall were calls of “Merry Christmas”, required rather than
a call of Bingo to identify winners at the annual Bingo play following a delicious carry-in luncheon,
Tuesday December 10. Nearly 40 people attended. “A pretty good crowd,” says Sheila Olive,
who called out the winning numbers for the attendance prizes. These were the much sought after
table decorations made by Sue Brand. A cute and stylish top hat along with two table-size Christ-
mas trees brightened every table and went home with the lucky winners. Elaine Hellweg enter-
tained during lunch with a Christmas story. You might say the Bingo game was happily “rigged”
so that everyone won a prize! A mix of nice wrapped gifts awaited on a prize table. The gifts were
donated by several “Santas”—among them the Crafters, Sheila Olive, Diane Smith, and Carla
Desalme. All together is was a wonderful time of fellowship and sharing.
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Christmas Drama
Portrays The Angel Gabriel Visiting Zachariah & the Virgin Mary
The Angel Gabriel was a messenger from God. The first chapters of the Gospel of Luke tell the story of how Gabriel was sent by God to earth to foretell the coming births of John the Baptist and of Jesus Christ.
Our youth presented this story in a 2-part drama in preparation for the Christmas season. Mary was played by Grace Doherty. Grant Swanstrom was the Angel Gabriel, and Autumn Seaman played Elizabeth, the wife of Zachariah. Samantha Swanstrom played Mary’s friend, and was part of the crowd outside the temple when Zachariah had been visited by Gabriel. Chylene Daub played Zachariah. Len and Helen Krudop were the narrators for the play.
Watch for a future email and notice:
Men’s Club Annual Pancake & Sausage Supper
Due to the two-month Jan/Feb issue of Open Door, plans are still un-
derway for the Men’s Club at this time. Watch the BUMC emails and
church bulletin when the time nears. This February event is another of
Bethel’s long-time traditions and a favorite of the congregation and the
community. Thanks!
Thanks! On behalf of the entire staff, thank you for your Christmas
gift. Your generosity is amazing. We are so blessed to be an active
part of Bethel Church.
Bethel Crafters,
Thank you so very much for the beautiful Chrismons donated to the Chapel at Gambrill Gardens! I
can just imagine the love you poured into the hours of work it took to make each ornament.
Please know you have greatly brightened the hearts of many of our residents this Christmas
