The bell that was donated to Asbury Wood has an interesting history. It was first installed in 1891 in the small frame church known as Seventh Avenue Methodist Church on the North East corner of Seventh Avenue and Twentieth Street. The bell was retained and installed in the bell tower of the first brick church built in 1908 in place of the frame church. This church was destroyed by fire in 1939.

     The brick and stone church was rebuilt in the same location and was known as the Seventh Avenue Methodist Church dedicated in 1943. The bell was again installed in the new bell tower. The bell remained in the bell tower until April 1986, when it was removed due to excessive weight (over 2,000 lbs.) and the deterioration of the floor of the bell tower which has to be replaced. In 1978, the former Emmanuel United Methodist Church, located on Sixth Avenue and Eighteenth Street, and the Seventh Avenue United Methodist Church merged and was known as the St. Luke United Methodist Church.

     The Trustees of the St. Luke Church chose to mount the bell on a concrete pad in the church yard as a memorial of our former churches. The bell was disassembled in the tower by Mr. Harold B. Hinerman, Mr. Louis A. Morris and Mr. Stroble T. Nixon. The T & L Sign Company came with their crane and removed the bell from the 48 foot high tower to the ground and onto the concrete pad. The bell is 42 inches in diameter and 26 inches high. The concrete pad was prepared by Mr. Nixon and Mr. Hinerman. The bell was then positioned and anchored by Mr. Charles L. Blankenship, Mr. Louis A. Morris and Mr. Harold B. Hinerman.

     When the St. Luke Church closed, Mr. Hinerman moved the bell to his home. His family rang the bell on New Year's Eve and the Fourth of July. When Mr. Hinerman decided to move, he wanted to keep the bell within the church family. The district trustees were glad to have it at Asbury Woods. With volunteer help, it has been moved to the camp and placed on a high point near what will become the new indoor chapel at the camp. Here, it can continue to call United Methodists and others to worship. Thank you, Mr. Hinerman, for allowing Asbury Woods Camp to be the keeper of the bell!