The most logical place to start is with the name, Bell Tower Brewing Co. After several years of researching, touring buildings, looking at properties all around Kent, and dreaming up what we felt was ideal, a unique opportunity fell into our lap.
A conversation was sparked (with the help of friends and family) along with a tour of the old R.W. Martin building on Park Avenue with the owner, Shawn Martin. After a wonderful encounter, the reality of making this beautiful old historic building the home of Bell Tower Brewing Co. sunk in we quickly got to work. The original part of the building was built in 1858 and went through several additions until 1910. The bell in the still-working bell tower was forged and installed in 1867.
The building has seen many different uses over its past life. It was first built by the First Congregational Church and was dedicated on November 30th, 1858. The land and brick for the building were donated by Marvin Kent, who the city was named after in 1864. Marvin’s mother Pamelia, his brother Charles H., and his nephew Charles B. all were members of the church.
The Bell in the Bell Tower: Forged and hung in 1867 
The Bell Tower with the steeple. 
West side of Kent in 1868 
The Bell Tower Today
In 1955 the church had stopped using the building (still trying to learn why it stopped being used as a church) and it went through several unique uses including local housing and a carwash. Eventually, it was abandoned and for several years it fell into deep disrepair. Fortunately, Mr. Martin (Shawn’s father) bought the building in 1969 from the city and saved it from being demolished. The R. W. Martin Company used the building as its corporate headquarters until the end of 2019.
Throughout all those many uses and over 160 years of existence, the bell tower and still-functioning bell are in excellent working order. The building itself inspired the name for the brewery and with such historic roots how could we not name the brewery after one of the most unique features, the bell tower. The bell rings daily throughout the historic West River Neighborhood in Kent from 9 am until 6 pm reminding us all of the yesteryears when church bells had many uses and meanings in everyday life (more to come on this in a future post).