The Church was established in 1750 as the 2nd Congregational Parish in Wells, Massachusetts, at the Landing on the Kennebunk River. In 1772, after 6 years of controversy, a small meetinghouse was built in Wells (at the junction of the road to the Landing and the Portland Road junction of Route 35 and Route 1, our present location). By 1803 it had become too small and was cut in two and 28 feet added to the middle so that parishioners could keep their own pews and newcomers could buy the middle pews. The roof was turned and a tower up to the bell level constructed. Thomas Eaton, the designer and builder, installed the bell in 1804. It was the third church bell in what was to become the state of Maine. This Paul Revere bell sings in the key of "G". The vibration of the bell can carry to human ears afar and has been heard 11 miles away in Alfred, Maine. In 1820 Maine became a state and the northern part of Wells became what is now Kennebunk. (excerpted from the First Parish UU Church archives)

First Parish UU Church ~ Casting on bell reads "Revere & Son 1803" This bell weighs 1017 pounds, which is typical of Church tower bells.

You may listen to the bell ring again here!

If you can not hear or see the bell controls, please select here to download the plugin from Apple Computers.

This beautiful artwork below was created by Norma Johnsen and donated to the Church in May 2004 during the service celebrating the 200th anniversary of this Paul Revere bell.

Church bells inscribed with the Revere name were researched by Edward and Evelyn Stickney in 1976. They discovered that of the church tower bells cast by the Revere foundry, many have been destroyed by fires, falling, and cracking. Only 134 intact Revere bells remain. Of these, only 23 were cast before Paul Revere retired from his company in the year 1811. Our bell is one of these.

The composition of our bell is approximately 75% copper and 25% tin. This alloy produces a bronze which is very brittle, but is required for the quality of its sound to be loud and clear, with multiple tones in its reverberation. This brittle material also explains why so many bells no longer exist.

The great weight of the bell, 1017 pounds, is supported on a pair of brass/copper friction bearings which are kept lubricated with silicone grease. As the bell is swung, its body strikes against the clapper hanging freely inside. Because the bell is moving as it rings, the sound it produces is richer.

Fastened to the bell's wooden support yoke is a large wooden wheel. Pulling on the ringing rope far below turns this wheel, which provides such good leverage even our children are able to ring the bell, which some do with great enthusiasm.

The Church has a bell committee charged with keeping the bell and its support system in good repair, as well as providing ringing for Sunday services and special occasions.

Extended Web Site

The Bell Committee has created a website to extend information about the First Parish Unitarian Universalists Church of Kennebunk. It is also a site that other churches with Paul Revere Bells can join and link or add their information and pictures. Select this site for more information.

Bell Card Offered

The front of the card features an original painting of the bell done by Norma Johnsen; the back of the card features a short history of the bell, and the center page is left blank for writing messages. The cards are very suitable for the upcoming holidays and make beautiful note cards for all occasions.

The cards sell for $2.00 apiece or $1.75 when you order in lots of 25 or more. The sale of each card generates a profit of approximately $1.00 for the church!