Plaques were mounted on the Bell Tower in the Clark Lake Cemetery yesterday (4/24).  The plaques help tell part of Clark Lake’s story – most recently and keeping alive the past of long ago.

The east side plaque describes the bell’s journey – how it once rang from the spire of Clark Lake’s original church, and how it plunged to the ground in the fire of 1912.  The Bell Tower’s south face recognizes donors who joined together for the Clark Lake’s Memory project that improved the cemetery – straightening and cleaning the headstones.  The north face acknowledges the Michael Ibold Wilger Foundation that provided financial support to Build the Bell Tower.  Michael, who passed away 2016, had a deep interest in the lake’s history.   Scroll down to read the plaques.

Once the epoxy has taken hold, the temporary duct tape will be removed.

The dramatic improvement of the Clark Lake Cemetery did not happen without considerable planning, effort and financial support.  The Clark Lake’s Memory team – the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation’s Mike McKay and Rick Belcher, along with John Karkheck – contracted with Jackson Monument for the improvement.  On a cold, rainy day in March 2024, Mike McKay, John Karkheck and Rick Belcher met with contractors in the cemetery.

The cemetery cried out for improvement.

The transformation was dramatic.

It was Mike McKay who designed, engineered, and oversaw the Build the Bell Tower project.  Walt Reed, and members of the former Clarklake Community Church, donated the bell.  It now graces the cemetery and serves as a symbol of how religion strengthens America.

Before the Clark Lake’s Memory project began, Columbia Charter Township took down trees, branches, and removed other udergrowth.

The Township then erected new fencing on the north, west, and south perimeters that you see today. Twenty years earlier, the Clark Lake Spirit Foundation and Township collaborated on erecting the fencing and pillars facing Hyde Road.

The Township also donated the land upon which the Bell Tower sets.

Here are the plaques.

The cemetery, as a permanent Clark Lake landmark, is the site of events important to the community, like the Memorial Day Parade.

A newer tradition began in December  – a Day of Remembrance.