The bell in the First Congregational Church of Becket is in danger due to extensive damage from powderpost beetles in the timber-frame structure that supports the bell and belfry.
The belfry that sits atop the church houses a recast bell originally crafted by Paul Revere -- the only one of its kind in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.
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Stairs in the attic of First Congregational Church in Becket lead to the church bell that first was cast by Paul Revere's foundry in Boston.
Work will begin in the coming weeks to reconstruct the belfry of First Congregational Church in Becket. The belfry and basement floor joists have extensive damage from powderpost beetles. The bell itself first was cast by Paul Revere's foundry in Boston.
Work will begin in the coming weeks to reconstruct the belfry of First Congregational Church in Becket. The belfry and basement floor joists have extensive damage from powderpost beetles. The bell itself first was cast by Paul Revere's foundry in Boston.
Wood-boring beetles have hollowed out posts and beams inside the historic First Congregational Church in Becket. Reconstruction work will begin in early September, beginning with the belfry.
Rita Furlong is part of the team working to raise money to restore the historic First Congregational Church in Becket, which, through the years, has incurred significant damage from powderpost beetles. Reconstruction of the belfry will begin in early September.
Because of damage from powderpost beetles, the historic First Congregational Church in Becket, built in 1850, is raising money for a $250,000 project to replace floor joists and reconstruct the belfry. The first phase of the work will begin in early September.
The historic First Congregational Church in Becket, built in 1850, is raising money for a $250,000 project to replace floor joists and reconstruct the belfry. The first phase of the work, reconstructing the belfry, will begin in early September.
Rita Furlong, Kathleen Rodhouse, Jack Rodhouse and Bill Mulholland make up the team working to save the bell at First Congregational Church in Becket. The bell is in danger because of extensive damage from powderpost beetles in the timber-frame structure that supports the bell and belfry.
A temporary support holds up the structure that the belfry rests on at First Congregational Church in Becket. The bell is in danger because of extensive damage from powderpost beetles in the timber-frame structure that supports the bell and belfry.
Ben Garver
Photojournalist
Ben Garver has been photographing the Berkshire hills and people for The Eagle since 1994. In his spare time, Garver enjoys hiking and biking with his Australian cattle dog, Cheyenne.
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By winter, the belfry’s historic bell will once again summon congregants to worship. No one would dare ring that bell now.