Sweet Chapel Bell

History of the Wainscott Chapel Bell -

A year after the Chapel was moved to Wainscott, George and Fannie (Mulford) Strong donated a bell. It was hung in the belfry in March 1909.

The Sag Harbor Express published the following article and poem on the front page, November 18, 1909:

Some months since Mr. George W. Strong, of Wainscott, presented a bell to the chapel at that place, for the purpose of calling the people together at the "Sweet Hour of prayer." Listening to its first strains, Henry L. Osborn composed the following verses, which have now been sent us for publication:.

Sweet Chapel Bell
By Henry L. Osborn

Sweet chapel bell, thy note of cheer
On evening air rings loud and clear,
Inviting to the house of prayer
By faith to meet our Savior there.

Sweet silvers chime from chapel tower,
Reminder of the quiet hour.
When Christians meet to praise and pray
And thus to close God's Holy day.

Oh, may we heed the gracious call,
And at the feet of Jesus fall,
May children's children join and sing
Hosannas to our Heavenly King.

Blest people they who fear the Lord,
Whoso lives are patterned by His word,
That when their work on Earth is past,
May stand complete In Him at last.

At the turn of the century, the new chapel served as a home for the community prayer meetings and Sunday school, previously held in the Wainscott school house. The chapel bell was rung to signify the start of afternoon Sunday school and Sunday evening prayer meetings.

During World War II, the chapel bell would sound to signify the start of a night time civil defense drill. All the houses would turn off their lights. The bell would ring again when the drill was over and the lights could be turned back on.

If you have a story or memory about the chapel bell, please share!