Historic St. John's Episcopal Church in Tampa to Restore Bell After Years of Silence
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St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tampa is undergoing an extensive restoration, with $2 million of the $3 million goal already raised by its dedicated parishioners. The church, a historic building in the Hyde Park Historic District, has not had its bell ring since 2020 due to structural concerns. Rev. Christian Wood, the church rector, expressed the importance of restoring the sacred space, which includes fixing the bell tower and addressing water damage.
The church recently received a nearly $100,000 grant from Hillsborough County to assist with the restoration efforts. Plans include not just repairing the bell tower but also cleaning the church's stained glass windows and organ pipes. Founded in 1912, St. John’s has a legacy that dates back over a century, originally beginning as a mission. The goal is to have the bell ringing again by the end of 2025, marking the restoration's completion.
The church’s estimated 600 families are committed to ensuring the project's success, with any funding gaps to be covered by church reserves.