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Work on clock continues »

TIME WILL TELL. Seen above are two sides of the clock tower's four identical sides in the First Congregational Church. The tower is undergoing renovations and repairs through donations made to the Romeo Historical Society, with a goal of having it tell time again by May 15.

(Observer photo by Chris Gray)

Clock repair project
needs more funds

by CHRIS GRAY
Observer Staff Writer

      Continued work and further support could have the First Congregational Church's clock tower ticking and ringing by May.
       A project started by two lifelong Romeo residents to restore the clock standing 100 feet above the village is well under way, though more time, money and manpower will be needed if they expect to have it in working order by their May 15 deadline.
       Bill Miller, a machinist of 32 years and owner of Miller Machine and Tool, along with Charlie Randles, co-owner of Sugar Art Cake and Candy Supplies, have spearheaded the ambitious project.
       Miller said when looking at the big picture the group of six to seven volunteers got a lot done, such as replacing the entire top floor with a mahogany floor, working on pulley systems, installing safety rails and electrical lighting and even having all sets of clock hands ready to go.
       "There's an incredible amount of work going on up there, it's really looking good, but we'll be happy when it's finished," he said. "It's pretty cold up there though, you have to dress in eight layers, but then you can't move around too well."
       Randles isn't as optimistic about having it done for a re-dedication ceremony during the 5th Annual Victorian Festival.
       "We talked with Mike Wecker, whose grandfather maintained the clock for the church, and he knows this thing inside out, upside down," he said. "When we walked through he pointed out so many things that need to be worked on, it was kind of deflating."
       One such example was working on the structure that holds the bell. He said there is actually a danger of it coming apart due to all the wear-and-tear it has seen.
       "It could collapse and the bell would fall through and end up on the first floor," said Randles.
       He hasn't let it slow him down, though, and said if nothing else they could have most of it ready by the Victorian Festival and work on the remaining repairs afterward.
       Upcoming work on the clock includes obtaining high-quality stainless steel wires for winding the clock and replacing the beam that holds the pulley system used for holding the half ton of weight used to run the clock.
       "I'm really happy to be working on it, all of the guys are in fact," said Miller. "I think everyone will be thrilled to see it running and ringing again."
       The mystery of the history
       Miller said through research conducted by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), the original bill of sale for the clock was found.
       The ledger shows the clock was ordered in June 1878 and shipped Aug. 1878. However, it is mysteriously missing a serial number, and the book that would contain that number is missing from the library, said Miller.
       "It makes me wonder if it was a hot clock," he said with a laugh.
       The ledger shows the clock cost $500. If that figure is translated to modern amounts, it would equate to $112,000.
       The question, though, is who exactly paid for the clock. He said the church's books show the village having paid for and maintaining the clock, but the ledger shows the clock was shipped in the care of an M.I. Brabb, and paid for by the trustees of the First Congregational Church.
       He said further research is being conducted on the clock's background as repairs continue.
       Donations still needed
       Richard Beringer, curator of the village's museums and historical society member, said the repairs and restoration have been going great, but funds are starting to diminish as work continues on the estimated $5,000 to $7,000 project.
       "They're way ahead of where I thought they would be, it's extremely impressive to see what those guys are doing," he said. "The money has come in fast enough to keep up right now, but we're going to need some more money, so I hope donations don't drop off."
       On the other hand, he said when enough funds are collected the society will stop accepting donations for the restoration. If they were to receive extra funding, however, he said it would only go toward exterior preservation efforts of the tower.
       "We don't want to get stuck with extra funds," he said. "Our goal is to take care of the problem and get out of the way."
       Contributions can be mailed to the Romeo Historical Society at P.O. Box 412, Romeo, MI 48065. For more information, call the society at (586) 752-4111 or visit www.romeohistoricalsociety.org