This bell can be found behind the Hartford Korean United Methodist Church. The street address is New Britain Avenue, yet the church driveway is actually accessed via Avery Heights.
How does the oldest Korean-American United Methodist church in Connecticut wind up in possession of bell inscribed in German?
In 1869, residents of German descent founded the First German Church, meeting on Temple Street, then on Market Street. In 1897 — the year etched into the bell — they built a wooden church at 101 Jefferson Street and renamed themselves “Jefferson Street Methodist.” Then, Hartford Hospital purchased the land. Another move, another name. Christ Methodist Church relocated to the site where New Britain and Newington Avenues meet.
Who was Gottfried Mannz, the man whose name is on the bell?
He is responsible for creating two Hartford Streets: Elliot Place and Mannz Court. Also, in 1905, he was involved in a land dispute on Wethersfield Avenue which made for good copy, but was probably stressful in all reality. The Courant wrote: “Mr. Cummings is Mr. Mannz’s landlord and Mr. Mannz is Mr. Cummings’s landlord, each occupying the house owned by the other.”
Stay tuned to read about another curious land swap
