Created to recognize those individuals who have given so generously, and to encourage and facilitate future planned giving.

Since our rather humble beginnings in 1956, members of the community and the community of the faith at the First Presbyterian Church have bequeathed enduring statements of faith in the form of their generous gifts to the church. The formation of the BELL TOWER SOCIETY is to recognize these tremendous contributions and to encourage everyone to continue this tradition of making a legacy gifts to our church. The church touches our lives in many ways, and a legacy gift ensures that our church will be able to serve everyone for the generations to come.

First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2016. Please consider how you will leave your legacy for the next 60 years and beyond.

History of the Bell Tower

Over sixty years ago, as a token of their brotherly love and friendship, the Masons in New Canaan donated a beautiful bell from their main Street Temple to the newly established First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan. The 150 original members of the church quietly raised the money necessary to construct a bell tower as its permanent home.

While the new bell tower was formally dedicated in memory of Louise Warren Higley on November 24th, 1963, it had tolled just two days earlier in the mourning to mark the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The bell tower was later rededicated to Stuart Higley, Louise’s husband and the church’s first Clerk of Session.

Joining the Bell Tower Society

More than forty individuals and families have left a legacy to our spiritual home, wouldn’t you like to join them? The amount and allocation of your gift is entirely up to you, based on what you are passionate about here at First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, but there is a broad range of ministries and areas you can directly impact, such as Children and Youth Programs, Pastoral Care, Adult Education, Mission and Outreach Programs, Music Programs, or simply ensuring that the church remains a safe and sacred place.

If you would like to join the Bell Tower Society, please email Jim Riehl at jriehl@fpcnc.org.

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