Bell Choir | Church History

Zion Welsh Church (as Plymouth was originally known) was organized in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on December 19, 1849, at the home of Richard R. Jones, a drayman, who lived on what is now South Main Street. There were nine original members, including Rev. David Lewis and wife. Rev. Lewis was the founder of the church and pastor for the first seven years. One of seven children, he was born in 1818 in Llangranog, Cardiganshire, Wales, and came to America with his family in August 1831. In 1847 he married Tirzah Jones and they came to Wisconsin in 1849.

 

He preached at both Neenah and Oshkosh. On Saturdays he would walk 12 miles from Neenah over an Indian trail to hold services in Oshkosh, and then return to Neenah on Monday. During the first years of his pastorate Rev. Lewis received no regular salary, but supported himself by the sale of Sunday School books, with the additional aid of occasional donations.

Services for Zion Welsh Church (Plymouth) were held in a schoolhouse in a marsh on the south side of Oshkosh somewhere near the corner of Oregon Street and 13th Avenue (which is now South Park Avenue). Furnishings were primitive. Tallow candles were used for light, firewood was carried from the homes of members, and the pulpit was improvised from the furniture at hand. Services were sometimes disturbed by the music of the frogs in the surrounding marshes. In wet weather, because of the difficulty of getting to the schoolhouse, the meetings were held in the home of Deacon R. R. Jones.

 

In 1856 the congregation purchased a lot on the corner of Church Avenue and Franklin Street and erected a 40 x 28 foot brick church at a cost of $2,000. A second building was erected in 1868 (or 1876 – discrepancies exist in our church history records), a frame structure capable of seating 225 people.

From Welsh to English
The first seven pastors were Welsh and all services were conducted in the Welsh language for the first 50 years of Plymouth’s history. In 1888 the decision was made to conduct services in English due to the gradually dwindling membership and the increasing difficulty of holding the interest of younger members and children. The name of the church was changed to Plymouth Congregational Church in 1894.

Bell Choir

In June of 1990 a 3-Octave set of Handbells was given to the church in memory of Chuck and Carollee Walker’s parents. That first year Everett Goodwin directed the two separate bell choirs - one a high school choir - and the adult group after attending a Handbell Workshop at UWO. The next year (1991), because Everett had too many obligations, Kim Kucksdorf (granddaughter of former members, Jim and Bev Decker) rehearsed with the group by rehearsing about 3 weeks prior to Easter and Christmas. In 1992 Ramelle Reeve became the director of the adult bell choir. The first bell choir had been composed mostly of members of the Music Committee. In 1992 others from the congregation began ringing. At that time we had a whole family as ringers: Gary, Sarah, Laura, and John Troxell were members. John was still so small that he stood on a carpet-covered box so that he could see over the music stand in order to see the director.

In 2009 a 3-Octave set of Choirchimes was given in memory of Bill Reeve who had faithfully wrung the “big bells” for many years. The Choirchimes have a very mellow sound and can be played alone as the Handbells can be as well as using both at the same time.
Playing the bells is a distinct privilege for the ringers and for those who hear them.l

 

 

Directions to Plymouth (via Mapquest)