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Dorothea Graham Jensen
a book bubble about
A Buss from Lafayette
Teens
Author Insight
Separation of Church (Steeple) and State
In many New England towns, it was the village itself that built and owned the first church, which was Congregational. The church building thus functioned as both town offices and church for many years. (It was the town officials who hired the ministers and town funds supported the church.) In the early 19th century New Hampshire passed a law "disestablishing" these First Churches, and passing ownership over to the church congregation. Oddly enough, in our town of Hopkinton, when this happened, the town did grant the church building to the congregation, but retained ownership of the church steeple. Recently the steeple which houses the Paul Revere bell needed repairs, and, since the town owned the steeple, this would require funds from the town. An argument ensued at that point that this would violate the principle of the separation of church and state. An interesting dilemma, don't you think??
Book Excerpt
A Buss from Lafayette
As we approached the village, we heard the sonorous tones of the bell in the tower of the First Church. I was proud that my own church had a bell made by the famous silversmith, Paul Revere, but it always jarred me a little to hear it ring.
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