The bell hung in the tower of a church, or other structure near it, and rung to call the people to worship, etc.
c. 1000. Sax. Leechd., II. 136. Drenc wiþ feondseocum men of ciricbellan to drincanne.
1633. Herbert, Temple, Prayer, 13. Church-bels beyond the starres heard.
1798. Southey, Occas. Pieces, Victory. Hark … how the church bells with redoubling peals Stun the glad ear!
1832. Tennyson, Death Old Year, i. Toll ye the church-bell sad and slow.
1865. Whittier, Snow-Bound, 97. No church-bell lent its Christian tone To the savage air.
