Marker Dedication: Liberty Bell Hiding Place

Husband Kevin's birthday is this week, so we're getting ready to head out on our little road trip. The plan is to leave first thing in the morning tomorrow - if I can get my to-do list cleared! That includes updating this blog, of course, so here we are. As part of the lead-up to his birthday celebration, we attended the marker dedication in his home city of Allentown this past Saturday, where the beautiful Zion's Reformed United Church of Christ celebrated their very unique place in history.

Lots of churches have bells. Not too many have had bells underneath their floorboards.

We arrived on the scene in plenty of time for the ceremony, which began at noon. I found Frank Whelan, our local history expert, who did the very kind piece about my book a couple years ago - we finally got to meet in person! If his name sounds familiar and you're a regular reader of this blog, you might have noticed I frequently use him as a source. That's because you'd be hard pressed to find anyone around here who knows more about local history than he does. (I'm trying to catch up.) Kevin and I then went inside the Liberty Bell Shrine, where I was able to take pictures because no one was around, before resurfacing in time for the actual presentation to begin. There's the covered marker at right, and you'll just have to wait until next week for me to show you the unveiled article.

I'll go into the more detailed history behind the marker next week, when I talk about its contents. But it's a well-known local history fact, and a point of pride for many native Lehigh Valley residents, that the church bells of Philadelphia and the State House Bell that was later renamed the Liberty Bell were smuggled here in wagons of hay. While the British in Philadelphia chased a rumor that the bells were thrown into the Delaware River, a couple of area men - Frederick Leaser and John Jacob Mickley - brought them north to the Zion Church, where the Rev. Abraham Blumer welcomed them and helped them conceal the bells beneath the floorboards of the church. It's been known colloquially as the Liberty Bell Church ever since.

Opening remarks for the ceremony were given by Dr. Dennis Blankowitsch, the board president of Zion Church, followed by an invocation by Rev. Joshua Knappenberger. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and then Frank Whelan stood to talk about the history leading up to the presentation of the marker. It was a project several years in the making, and the ceremony itself had to be rescheduled a few times, but at long last the blue and gold honor has arrived. Among the dignitaries present for the event were Senator Pat Browne (16th District), who helped secure the funding for the marker, and Karen Arnold, representing the PHMC. There were also some descendants of John Jacob Mickley in attendance.

"This is by far one of the most important historic assets in the Lehigh Valley," said Senator Browne.

(Pictured at left, from left to right: Frank Whelan, Mayor Matt Tuerk, Rev. John Knappenberger, Dennis Blankowitsch, Sen. Pat Browne, and Karen Arnold.)

Also on hand were a representative of the Liberty Bell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Hon. Matt Tuerk, current mayor of the city of Allentown. Mayor Tuerk pointed out that anyone who has ever lived or worked in Allentown is part of its community, and we all have a right to be proud of the role that Allentown - or Northamptontown, as it was called then - played in this chapter of the American Revolution. Not only did the church save the bells, but it also served as a hospital for wounded soldiers in the Continental Army. 

It was a hot day, and the noon sun was directly overhead, so the unveiling was not prolonged. Everyone was then invited downstairs into the Shrine for light refreshments and a historical tour by Stephanie Burke, a costumed representative of the museum. The painting at right is one artist's idea of how the concealment of the bells might have gone. That's Rev. Blumer with the gray hair and clerical collar; I'm guessing the two men at the forefront are meant to be Frederick Leaser and John Jacob Mickley. With a beautiful mural, many informative displays, and a gift shop full of interesting historical items and local handicrafts, the Shrine well worth a visit any time of year. We were even welcome to ring the replica Liberty Bell if we were so inclined. Pip the Mouse was on hand to give high-fives to the kids in attendance; as Ms. Burke put it, "It's not a party without Pip!" 

The Liberty Bell Church is currently celebrating its 260th anniversary, and the Liberty Bell Shrine is celebrating its 60th anniversary, which makes the timing of the marker dedication even more appropriate. Frank Whelan told me that although the church is currently for sale, it looks like they have a potential buyer lined up and that the Shrine is expected to be preserved. I really wanted to talk more to the others present; unfortunately, I needed to head home and get ready for work. But it was a wonderful event and very well attended, and I'm looking forward to next week, when I'll tell you about the history behind it all.

Meanwhile, be sure to check out the official website of the Liberty Bell Church and this video about the dedication ceremony from local news station WFMZ. (My parents were out of town at the time, but they watched the news on their phones that night and made sure to tell me that "We saw you and Kevin!") And if you were there, please leave a comment and say hello!