EATON — Eaton United Church of Christ, 113 W. Decatur St., will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the purchase and installation of its church bell on Sunday, June 12, during the 10:30 a.m. service of worship.

The bell, which originally hung in the Preble County Courthouse, along with the tower clock, were purchased in May of 1916 at the cost of $500. The old courthouse was in disrepair and plans were to replace it with the current courthouse.

The church, under the leadership fo Rev. McDaniel Howsare, donated the clock to the city to be placed on the city building. The bell, originally purchased by the county in 1874 at the cost of $251.20 was hung in the church’s tower and dedicated on June 4, 1916.

The bell was cast in the foundry of the Buckeye Bell Company of Cincinnati and measures about three feet in diameter; is about 3 feet tall; and is three inches thick. It is said to weigh nearly 1,100 pounds. Helping the church celebrate this grand event will be SONKA association minister, Kathryn Anadein; Preble County Commissioners and the singers of “Something Good.”

A reception will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall. The public is invited to join in the celebration.