As the Jackson Monument team continues to straighten and gently clean markers in the Clark Lake cemetery, Building the Bell Tower is nearing completion. The Bell Tower is a pillar that will hold a bell that rang for the last time in 1912 from the spire of Clark Lake’s first church, founded in 1868. A cinder from a passing train ignited some brush. The fire spread to the church, located at Hyde and Jefferson Roads. As fire destroyed the wooden structure, the bell crashed to the ground. The resulting crack meant the bell would never ring again. But the bell was preserved, and going forward, it will highlight Clark Lake’s Memory in the cemetery.
Check out the Build Bell Tower progress in this slide show.
The location of the Bell Tower is a north-south midpoint in the first row of graves. When the bell is mounted, it will look something like the photo below. With the help of Photoshop, an image of the bell has been inserted on the pillar.
At present, Brosamer’s Bells in Brooklyn is preparing the bell for mounting.
In appearance, the Bell Tower is similar to the pillars installed at the front of the cemetery. Twenty years ago, as today, the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation collaborated with the Township. Because this barrier and fencing was put in place, transient boaters no long desecrate graves by parking their trailers on them. The Bell Tower will connect future generations with Clark Lake’s past.
The Bell Tower pillar will have plaques attached to it. One side will recognize those who contributed to part 1 of the Clark Lake’s Memory project:
Clark Lake’s Memory
Restoration of the Cemetery
2024
Chas & Pat Timberlake
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Walter Reed
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Joan Ambs
Rick Belcher
John & Jackie Calhoun
Mike & Teresa McKay
Raft-O-Rama
Bill & Ann Searles
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John, Dotty & Johnny Karkheck
Nancy & Mike Ligibel
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Angela Anderson
C. J. Cox
Ronald & Sue Crawford
David & Sandy Gaunt
Stacy Harrison
Delores Jackson
Ron & Beth June
Lauri & Steve Lambert
Chuck & Tina Newman
Carolyn Nichols
Barbara Owings
Terry & Cris Reed
Archie Sconochia
Andrea Steible
John & Elaine Stewart
Brenda Weidner
Carolyn ZaderVicki & Dennis McGaffigan
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Tom & Marcia Babcock
Linda Z. Gregory
Adam McKay
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Willbee Transit Mix
A side will tell the history of the church:
Bell Tower
This bell rang from the spire of Clark Lake’s first church, founded in 1868. Then on a spring day in 1912, a passing train changed history. A cinder from its stack ignited brush that spread to the church. As flames engulfed the wooden structure, the bell fell to the ground, cracking it. No longer would the bell signal the beginning of services. But the church would live on for more than another 100 years. Here is its history.
May 2, 1868: “Resolved, that we the undersigned do hereby for the Service and Glory of God form ourselves into a body to be known as the Clarklake Baptist Church of Columbia, adopting for our creed the work of God and the Declaration of Faith and Covenant recommended by the Baptist Convention of Michigan.”
The ten signers of the resolution were: Sether Dean, Miranda Dean, Alfred Russell, Helen Russell, Benjamin Reed, Betsy Reed, Jefferson White, Angalect White, Lydia Reed, Mary Reed Hill.
Seven days later on May 9, 1868, another meeting was held and an invitation was extended to those wishing to join the new church. They could do so by baptism. The invitation was accepted by ten people:
James Towner, Byron Hill, Jay D. Reed, Rose Towner, Miranda Dean, Sofia Reed, Francelia Preston, Emma Towers, Amy Griffin, Alice Towner
Clarklake Baptist Church’s first building was located on the northwest corner Jefferson and Hyde Roads. Subscriptions, socials and donated materials covered the $2000 cost. Byron Hill contributed labor and lumber.
The first church building was dedicated on February 2, 1871.
The church’s size was 31’ X 41’ and constructed entirely of wood. The spire, on the front, held this bell. The church seated 200 and had an organ.
Early settlers built this church, as they carved out an existence in this new country. They worked long after dark, clearing land, planting and cultivating crops. Yet, in all this, they found time to band together to worship God, and to care for each other.
In 1895, the Clarklake Church’s Board of Trustees gave the Cincinnati Northern Railroad the right to lay tracks closely adjacent to the church.
The Brooklyn Exponent, May 9, 1912: “The Clarklake Church burned last Thursday afternoon during the high wind. The fire was discovered about a half-hour after the passing of a freight train, and as the structure had previously been on fire from passing engines on the nearby track, it is thought this was the source of the conflagration.”
The bell fell, silencing it forever. Three days later, members decided to rebuild the church and purchased two lots from Charles Vining on the southwest corner of North Street and Hyde Road. They would install a new bell.
In 1954, the congregation, recognizing that summer residents represented many Christian faiths, voted to replace the denominational name “Baptist” with “Community.”
Facing the decline in membership as many other churches, the Clarklake Community Church closed after 152 years, holding its last service in December 2020. The building remained and reopened as a Montessori pre-school in October, 2024.
Another side will recognize the Michael Ibold Wilger Foundation that financially supported Build the Bell Tower:
Michael Ibold Wilger Foundation
Michael Ibold Wilger always held a deep affection for all things Clark Lake which for him began with spending summers in the 1950’s when his grandparents, Lee and Walter Ibold, purchased a cottage on South Shore Drive in 1955. He especially loved Clark Lake’s history, and took great interest in it. In 2016 at age 59, Michael us left too early.
In keeping with Michael’s deep connection with Clark Lake, the charitable organization that bears his name, the Michael Ibold Wilger Foundation, was the primary supporter of Build the Bell Tower.”
The Spirit Trail regularly cares for the foliage along the front entrance. Don and Jane Fowler were caught in the act on November 8th as the Bell Tower work proceeded.
For this Clark Lake Spirit Foundation project, Mike McKay designed the structure, found the contractors, and directed the building. Yesterday (11/18), he personally removed the last of the construction materials, raked, and seeded the area. Look for that to redeem the green around the Bell Tower in the spring. Thanks, Mike!
Great Job so far
Thank you to all who helped restore the bell near it’s original location.
I look forward to seeing this as I drive past the area often. Many memories of time spent at the park swimming an meeting friends there. Thank you for the contribution and hard work that was put into this project.