Plainville Churches to Ring Bells in Unison to Celebrate Plainville's 150th Anniversary

Plainville, CT- July 17, 2019 — In honor of the Town of Plainville’s 150th Anniversary, the Town has requested that churches announce the celebration by ringing their bells on Saturday, July 20th at 10:00 A.M.  Participating churches are Our Lady of Mercy Church at 19 S. Canal Street, Church of Our Savior Episcopal at 115 West Main Street, and the Congregational Church at 130 West Main Street.

Historically in New England, church bells have been rung on a variety of ceremonial occasions.  For reasons both secular and sacred, church bells were used to call the community together in the days before mass communication became available. There is historical symbolism to pealing the bells at 10 A.M.  On July 16, 1869 the General Assembly approved Plainville’s act of incorporation.  Residents moved to celebrate and chose Thursday, July 22 for the festivities – just six days later!  According to Nancy Eberhardt, President of the Plainville Historical Society, “Can you imagine trying to get something like together in six days today?”  She continues, “The celebration began with the firing of 100 cannons from the New Britain battery quickly followed by the firing of rifles across the town line from Plainville to Farmington.  At 10:00 the parade started.” As a newly incorporated entity, Plainville’s very first parade began at 10:00 A.M.  It is a fitting tribute for the churches to ring out the celebratory opening for such an historic milestone.