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Bell Rings To Remember Sacrifice Of Railroaders In Altoona

Its tone resonates through the streets of Altoona every day.

Not only does the bell at St. Marks Catholic Church ring every hour between 1 and 6, every evening it also rings to pay tribute to the men who helped build the city.

It was brought back to life after the Rev. James Coveney was reassigned to St. Marks. He used to see it sitting in the church garage and couldn't get its image out of his mind.

Coveney learned the bell used to ring at 5:45 a.m. every day to make sure railroad workers reported to work by 6.

He decided to build a tower and gate to resurrect the bell as a tribute to the city.

A dedication was held December 2006 for the bell.

The bell also rings for Mass, weddings and funerals.

It's located at the corner of 6th Avenue and 4th Street.

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