Restored bells once again ring at Hope Church

50th anniversary celebration included dedication service, dinner and fellowship

Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bowers dedicated its newly restored church bells during a 50th anniversary celebration on Nov. 6.

Stacy Bechtel, a member of the 50th anniversary committee, said the day of celebration was held to dedicate the Eagle Scout bell restoration project and celebrate 50 years of worship in the Hope Church building located at 550 Fleetwood Road.

Established in 1969, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church is a partnership between the congregations of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lyons and Trinity Lutheran Church in Bowers.

According to church history, the neighboring towns of Lyons and Bowers each had a Lutheran church. St. Paul’s in Lyons was built in 1868. Trinity in Bowers was built in 1901. Each had active members. A 1966 fire destroyed Trinity. After this tragic event, the two congregations merged.

On Jan. 1, 1969, Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded. Services in the new building began in 1972.

Every day since the church opened, two bells (one from St. Paul’s and one from Trinity) ring out over the surrounding communities with the sound of Hope.

In 2017, the church bells were removed due to structural damage concerns. Longswamp Boy Scout Cole Geisinger of Troop 575 volunteered to lead a restoration project as his Eagle Scout project. He coordinated the refurbishing of the bells, designed a display and recruited other Scouts and family members to assist.

After 160 hours of labor, the church bells once again ring in their new home in front of Hope Church.

Celebrating the 50th anniversary on Nov. 6, Hope Church held a morning All Saint’s Sunday bell dedication service and an afternoon anniversary service.

Between the two services, more than 125 people were in attendance.

Bechtel said the committee hopes attendees gained “a time to reflect on the 50 years of Hope Church and how, through God’s help, how we are able to support, lift up, reach out, and give back to the community.”

Highlights of the day included the congregation gathering outside around the bell display as Pastor Scott Lingenfelter dedicated the bell restoration project.

Geisinger was recognized for his efforts to organize and implement the bell restoration for his Eagle Scout project.

“The bells of Hope are back and in place,” said Jen Trumbauer, a member of the 50th anniversary committee, during the dedication. “Thank you to Cole Geisinger and Troop 575 for putting in over 160 hours to see this Eagle Scout project through. Hope bells will ring again.”

“In 1972, two churches came together to form one church. When deciding on a name they chose HOPE because they “hoped it would work!” 50 years later Hope Church has touched the lives of many people in many ways! Today we shared many memories celebrated God’s work through HOPE,” said Trumbauer.

Pastor Thomas Reinsel, the church’s first pastor, led Hope Church’s 50th anniversary celebration service.

Also recognized were past pastors of Hope Church as well as those who participated in the afternoon anniversary service: Rev. Thomas Reinsel, Rev. Allen Forsman, Rev. Barry Mitchell, Rev. Elizabeth Haines, as well as current pastors Rev. Martin Milne (Designated Pastor) and Rev. Scott Lingnenfelter (Seated Sunday Supply) who assisted in both services of the day.

The day of celebration concluded with a dinner reception at Janelle Restaurant & Catering Hall in Bowers.

“A time of fellowship and sharing of fond memories and stories of Hope Church,” Bechtel said.

SUBMITTED PHOTOS — LEANN SACKS Rev. Scott Lingenfelter during the Hope Church dedication of the bell restoration project. One bell is from St. Paul’s Lutheran in Lyons and the other is from Trinity Lutheran in Bowers. Now both bells ring out front of Hope Church in Bowers.

Longswamp Eagle Scout Cole Geisinger of Troop 575 lead a restoration project as his Eagle Scout Project. The restored bells now ring in front of Hope Church in Bowers.

Pastor Tom Reinsel, the first pastor at Hope Church, shows children the key that opened the door 50 years ago at Hope Church in Bowers.

Past pastors of Hope Church Rev. Allen Forsman, Rev. Martin Milne, Rev. Elizabeth Haines, Rev. Thomas Reinsel and Rev. Barry Mitchell.

The Hope Church 50th anniversary committee included Dorene Behney, Diane Ohlinger, Teresa Bechtel, Stacy Bechtel and Jen Trumbauer.

The day of celebration concluded with an anniversary dinner and fellowship at Janelle Restaurant & Catering Hall in Bowers.

Crowd gathered at the dedication of the restored bells at Hope Church in Bowers.