For Whom a Bell Tolls ~ Para quien suenan las campanas

Recently at Trinity Church a random question was posed, “Do you know where Trinity’s bell is?” The response ranged from “What bell?” “We don’t have a bell.” And even a response in cool current vernacular “Bell..duh!”. Yet one individual without hesitation offered, “The bell is where it has always been.”

So, does Trinity have a bell or not?

The construction of Trinity Church took place between 1910 and 1917; the Sigmond Memorial Education building was added in 1950. The church structure was designed as a “two story Neo-Gothic style brick rectory with limestone trim by the New York architectural firm of Foster, Gade & Graham and is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places in the Sunset Park Historic District.”

Trinity is Neo-Gothic, fortress like, complete with a tower structure at the corner of 4th Avenue and 46th Street. Yet no chiming bell has ever tolled the daily hours from there or bid a welcome to worship from this “mighty fortress”, but a bell does indeed hang within.

Trinity has a bell and its story is worthy of being told in this 21st century, for Trinity’s bell is over 480 years old. It is older than the “Liberty Bell” hanging in Independence Hall in Philadelphia and even older than the pilgrim landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620. The story of the bell is one involving missionaries, hunger and famine and the goodness of Trinity’s women.

To learn more and read the whole story of this ancient bell contact the Church office for a copy of For Whom A Bell Tolls or download a PDF of it by clicking here.

Erik Sorensen

Piecemakers

Piecemakers Started in 1971

Many years ago I was reading “The Women’s Lutheran Magazine”. I came across an article about a group of women from a church out west who had gotten together to make blankets for LWR. It started me thinking. I have always liked to sew and make things. Could we do something similar here in Trinity?

I could not let go of the thought. I prayed about it too. But it seemed like such a big job. We would need so many things. Where would we start? Material would be first. I thought perhaps a couple of sewing machines – scissors – women to be interested? I sort of put it on hold until I met Kris Henricksen in the Parish Hall.

“Hedvig,” he said “I want to show you something”. He showed me a whole pile of old clothes. I think it had been left after a clothes drive we had a while back. I looked – and I looked again a little closer and in my heart I said “material”! Is this your answer, Lord? If so, I’m willing.

That was the start – sorting and cutting. An old friend, Mrs. Hansen helped me. We spent a whole day but we were pleased at the result. Then some women got together with scissors and sorted some more.

We also planned to meet once a month on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We would bring a sandwich and have coffee made at church. I remember Bertha Johnsen walking from 44 Street and 7 Avenue to be there to have coffee ready when we arrived at 10 a.m. We took turns buying buns for that.

We always had devotions. We took turns and sometimes one of the Pastors would come and do it. We also took an offering.

Just have to tell you the women’s group out west named their group “Piecemakers”. We copied. Piecemakers continue to meet once a month on a Tuesday.

Hedvig Olsen

Harry Montgomery

Captain Chaplin Harry Montgomery was killed in a booby trap explosion in Italy on March 3, 1945. (See Descendant Blizzard vol. 34 no. 3) His photo hangs on the chapel wall.

     

 

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