History

HISTORY

The Bellbrook Presbyterian Church has been a worshiping community in the heart of Bellbrook since 1828.

The Bellbrook Presbyterian Church at 72 West Franklin Street was known as the First Presbyterian Church of Bellbrook to distinguish it from the United Presbyterian Church on the northeast corner of Main and Walnut Streets. The Church was organized in 1828 by the Reverends William Gray and Adrien Aten.


The first building was built in 1829 on the hill west of the village at 3544 State Route 725. The Bellbrook members who walked, crossed Little Sugar Creek on a log footbridge to get there. The first elders were Josiah Lamme, John Cooper and William Russell. The congregation worshipped there until 1858, when they bought a church that stood on the present site from the Universalists.




This frame building had a steeple that housed a bell which had a lovely tone and could be heard for miles. It was the only church in town to have a bell and was known as the "Bell Church". The bell now in use is the original. This building was used until the present brick structure was built in 1890.

In 2023 and 2024, the congregation and community undertook a significant project to restore the church bell. Use of the bell was discontinued in 2018 due to safety.


The bell was removed from the bell tower, taken to Verdin Co. in Cincinnati, and restored. A completely new mechanism for hanging the bell and reinforced beams were installed in the bell tower to ensure the safe hanging and use of the bell.


An automated toller was added to the bell, allowing the bell to ring on the hour during the week between 9 a.m. and noon.

In September of 2024, we celebrated the return of the bell with a "Bell-a-Bration" community wide event in which businesses and organizations throughout the community partnered to offer bell related products or activities throughout the celebration.


We are grateful to the members of the congregation and community who gave financial gifts to make this significant project possible.

While the church has been around a long, long time, we look forward with hope and joy to continuing to serve and flourish in the heart of Bellbrook into the future!


Stop in, take a tour, consider joining us for worship or another event! We are here for the community and welcome you!


A piece of history . . .


In October 1904 Carrie Nation (also known as "Grandma Hatchet"), was in Bellbrook and Rev. Sands of the Presbyterian Church introduced her to the audience at the Town Hall where she spoke.


In 1964 another addition was added to the main structure, making a larger kitchen and a big room that could be used as three class rooms by the dividing folding doors.


In 2021 and 2024 we completed major updates of our classrooms.


Work on this historic building continues in preparation for our 200th anniversary celebration!

Share by: