ANTIOCH, CA, – The 50-year-old Antioch Historical Museum is actively raising funds to restore one of the oldest artifacts from the settling of Antioch by early Americans – The First Congregational Church Bell. The church bell was one of the first to ring in the city more than 150 years ago.
The 700 lbs. brass bell was cast in bronze by the Meneely Bell Foundry of West Troy, New York in 1868. It rang loudly across the city and was heard by early members of the church including Antioch’s founders; Rev. W.W. Smith, Captain George W. Kimball, and Thomas Gaines, the first known Black settler who was a sexton of the church.
While the Historical Society and its members have already committed significant funds to the project, additional financial or in-kind support is needed. The historical society plans to bring the bell back to life for museum visitors to ring and enjoy. It will be displayed in a unique mini bell tower exhibit.
The museum hopes the project will be completed this year and is asking the community to sponsor this important exhibit. There are eight sponsorship levels, providing a range of giving opportunities – diamond, gold, platinum, silver, bronze, copper, sapphire, and ruby. Names of sponsors will be permanently inscribed at the exhibit site. Contributions are tax deductible.
The Antioch Historical Museum resides within the 1910 Riverview High School, a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum, located at 1500 W. 4th St., is also home of the Antioch Sports Legends Hall of Fame program. The Sports Legends Hall of Fame showcases and honors the achievements of more than 172 male and female Antioch athletes within the Hall of Fame.
The website is: http://antiochhistoricalmuseum.org/.
Editors Notes
On Tuesday, during the Antioch City Council meeting, Dwayne Eubanks who shared the mission is to preserve, protect and display Antioch history. He shared the following tidbits at the council meeting.
- In 2021, the First Congressional Church bell had moved to Pittsburg and was decommissioned and entrusted the museum with their record and 700 bronze bell.
- The bell rang in 1872 when Antioch had just 626 residents.
- They are working to restore the bell and place it into a mini tower
- Antioch Historical Society has allocated half the funds and are fundraising for the remaining half.
- The plans have already been approved
- Asked the Antioch City Council for waiver of permit fees to help bring project to life—this would be a cost of $2,200. (Antioch City Council Approved in 5-0 vote)
- The estimated total cost for the project is $96,000 with $47k already raised.