For the first time in thirteen years, the skyline of eastern Albany looks—and will soon sound—whole again. On the morning of Friday, January 16, a crane carefully hoisted a 1,500-pound historic bell into the newly restored belfry of the Cumberland Community Event Center, marking one of the most significant milestones in the building’s 134-year history.
The installation was more than just a construction feat; it was the culmination of a rescue mission that began in 2000 when the 1892 Victorian-style church was slated for demolition. Saved by the community and eventually moved to its current location at the corner of Santiam Road and Pine Street in 2021, the building has been undergoing a meticulous, piece-by-piece restoration ever since.
A Decade in the Shadows
The bell itself has been silent since 2013, when it was removed and placed into storage for safekeeping as the original tower became structurally unsound. For over a decade, the massive cast-iron relic sat in a local warehouse, waiting for the day the church’s “bones” were strong enough to support it once more.
“Seeing it rise back up into that tower is a victory for everyone who ever wrote a check, swung a hammer, or stood in the rain to watch this building move across town,” said one local volunteer who joined the small crowd gathered at 8:00 AM to witness the lift.
What’s Next for the Cumberland
With the bell now securely bolted back into its home, the Cumberland Community Event Center is nearing its final phase of restoration. Once an endangered landmark, the building is now transitioning into a vibrant public space.
- Community Use: The center is already booking dates for weddings, acoustic concerts, and neighborhood meetings.
- Historical Accuracy: The restoration team, led by the CCEC Board, is ensuring that every detail—from the bell to the stained glass—remains faithful to the building’s 1892 roots.
While the bell isn’t ringing on a daily schedule just yet, the board plans a formal “First Ring” ceremony later this spring once the interior finishing touches are complete.
https://www.albanycumberland.org
