Photos by Midge Clapper Kershner 3/22/1986 |
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Beaver Meadows - We Are the Church - 1850 - 2000
The Church Steeple |
By 1911, the original church steeple was in need of repair. A handyman was hired to remove and repair it. While it was on the ground-awaiting repair, it is alleged that the repairman used it for firewood. It was never replaced until Douglas Clapper built a new steeple in honor of his grandmother, Lena Smith Clapper, and his mother, Sylvia Josephine Repsher Clapper. The dedication came on Lena Clapper's 100th birthday - Easter Sunday, March 31, 1986. The church's minister performed the dedication service at the time, Rev. Richard West.
(*Historian's Note: Lena H. Clapper was born on March 31, 1886.
She was the daughter of Ernest and Jennie MaGee Smith. She died November
15, 1986. Sylvia Josephine Repsher Clapper was born on March 24, 1914.
She was the daughter of Frank and Clara Carr Repsher. She died March 6,
1982.)
The church had been originally built with a steeple over the belfry.
Doug decided, without telling the congregation, that what this lovely little
church building needed was a new steeple. He stated that he studied many
steeples to come up with this original design. He had the help of the
following people: his brother, Daniel Clapper; his brother-in-law, Allen
Kershner; his nephew, Jerry Clapper; and his neighbors, Bob and George Bolles.
The new steeple was up and ready in time for the Easter Service in 1986.
They installed the steeple on top of the old belfry, which held the original
bell at that time.
Because it had a very hollow ring, the old bell was sold at our church's Antique Auction in 1993. When it was taken down from the belfry, it was discovered that the old bell was cracked. The Beaver Meadows Youth Group, with a lot of hard work and donations, purchased a new bell. Our new bell now rings loudly and clearly every Sunday morning. The old bell was purchased by Mr. Roy Herman at the "BELL-A-BRATION' on May 29, 1993. The original bell is now located at Lawton, Pennsylvania, on the owner's lawn.
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