Details about the St. John’s Bell

St. John's bell tower was a relatively new addition to our church. It was put in place around the time some renovations were done to the historic church, including the cinder-block foundation.

The bell, cradle, and yoke weigh @ 250 lbs. Two casting numbers are engraved on the bell: 1159 and 3828. There are also raised numbers on the yoke, but we'll need someone's very sharp eyes to read them or use a paper and pencil to scratch them out. Perhaps there is a sleuth in our congregation who can find out where our bell had been cast, and / or upon which steam locomotive it served!

The bell assembly included several parts:

• The Bell: The bell itself is one solid piece.

• The Cradle: The cradle is the framework portion that attaches to the locomotive.

• The Yoke: The yoke holds the bell and allows it to swing in the cradle.

• The Clapper: The clapper is the metal piece hanging inside the bell. When the bell swings the clapper hits the bell causing it to ring.

• The Pull-Arm: The pull-arm is attached to the yoke. A rope is attached to the pull-arm so that the engineer or fireman (or, in our case, small children) can cause the bell to swing.

SJB's bell tower was donated in December, 1965 in honor of the Hodgsons of Athens, GA.

• Apparently Edward was born on August 20, 1871 and died on July 18, 1967.

• His wife was Mary Arthur McCullough Hodgson.

• I think they were married in 1905 and had a son, Paul (1916-1991).

• The bell was donated  by John M. & Brita Aspegren Hodgson.