You may have read about a Haydenville neighbor who is hoping to silence the bell in our church building’s steeple during overnight hours as he says the tolling disturbs the sleep of his family. Other neighbors feel differently. One neighbor said that the bells put everyone in the village of Haydenville on common ground in that they mark our shared time and place.
Ultimately, the decision rests with the Williamsburg Select Board because the clock and the bells in our steeple belong to the town. This sort of arrangement between churches and towns dates back to colonial times. Because the church does not own the bells or the clock, except for church members who live in the neighborhood and have a personal stake in the outcome of the discussion, we have opted not to weigh in on the debate.
I do pray for the neighboring family, that they would experience a peace that allows them to sleep thoroughly through the night. I also pray that our church bells remind the town of Williamsburg that, just as we have been since 1851, we serve as active members of the community and are not just a building.
Regardless of Select Board’s decision, you may be interested in watching the YouTube video that Colin Black, longtime neighbor, historian and clock winder, made that features the clock and the bells.
In some of the photos of our church building, it is clear that paint is peeling and we need to do some work to help preserve the façade. That work will begin this fall. If you feel so inclined as to help us preserve this iconic building, we invite you to donate to our tax deductible Building Fund.
Rev. Mark Seifried, pastor, Haydenville Congregational Church
Northampton