Florence churches invite area to join in Freedom Bells event
Members of Florence Parish — Bethlehem Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church, shown here — will gather outside First Presbyterian Church in Florence, Wis., on July 4 to take part in the Freedom Bells Initiative, a unified bell-ringing ceremony honoring the nation’s founding on July 4, 1776. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo, file)
Bells at St. Mary’s, St. John’s, shown here, and First Presbyterian churches in Florence, Wis., will ring July 4 as part of the Freedom Bells Initiative, a unified bell-ringing ceremony honoring the nation’s founding on July 4, 1776. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo, file)
Members of Florence Parish — Bethlehem Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church, shown here — will gather outside First Presbyterian Church in Florence, Wis., on July 4 to take part in the Freedom Bells Initiative, a unified bell-ringing ceremony honoring the nation’s founding on July 4, 1776. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo, file)
Bells at St. Mary’s, St. John’s, shown here, and First Presbyterian churches in Florence, Wis., will ring July 4 as part of the Freedom Bells Initiative, a unified bell-ringing ceremony honoring the nation’s founding on July 4, 1776. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo, file)
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FLORENCE, Wis. -- Local churches will join a nationwide effort to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4 through the Freedom Bells Initiative, a coordinated national and international observance honoring the nation's founding on July 4, 1776.
The initiative encourages churches, organizations and individuals across the country to ring bells at noon on Independence Day in recognition of the anniversary.
In Florence, bells at St. Mary's, St. John's and First Presbyterian churches will ring three times at noon to mark the occasion. After the church bell ringing, community members will be invited to participate by ringing bells from their own locations.
Members of Florence Parish -- Bethlehem Lutheran Church and First Presbyterian Church -- will gather outside First Presbyterian Church to take part in a unified bell-ringing ceremony honoring the nation's history and ideals.
The observance will include 21 bell rings, symbolizing the traditional 21-gun salute. Each ring will be separated by 13 seconds, representing the 13 original colonies.
A limited number of handbells will be available for those who do not have their own.
The event will conclude with patriotic music played from St. Mary's Church bell tower.
Organizers invite community members to join each of the churches in the celebration and participate in honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States.