The bell is sounding once again in Woodbury, and all indications are that it will for a long time.

On Tuesday, January 20, the Town Board of Oyster Bay unanimously resolved to grant landmark designations to the Old Methodist Church and its adjacent graveyard, two sites just off Jericho Turnpike that bear both aesthetic beauty and sentimental value, and whose future not too long ago was up in the air.

"The board's sentiment here was really to preserve our architectural past, and social and cultural roots," said Town Councilman Leonard Symons. "Here is a church that goes back to 1857, unaltered for the past 90 years. Architecturally, it's really timeless."

Symons continued, "I think landmarking is a way to preserve a community's memory. It's also a way to make history come alive. And I think a very important aspect of the quality of life in our community is preserving what has come before as we look over the horizon to see what will come in the new millennium."

The decision stemmed from a November 18 public hearing that attracted Woodbury residents, historians and public figures to Town Hall, many testifying that the church and graveyard, which both date back to the mid-nineteenth century, were cherished by residents who have already lost too many ties to their community's past.

Bonnie Eisler, president of the Hunting Hills Civic Association and a key voice at the hearing, was one of the residents who refused to lose another slice of history. Ecstatic over the resolution, she stated, "We're thrilled that the Town of Oyster Bay saw fit to landmark the church and the graveyard and hold on to it for future generations because we see it as a priceless jewel in our community."

Aside from its age, the graveyard is considered unique because it is the final resting place of a Velsor cousin of Walt Whitman's, and all of the headstones face the same direction.

The abandoned church, aside from a visual icon of Woodbury's history, is also an example of fine architecture. According to reports from both Councilman Symons and the Town of Oyster Bay Environmental Preservation Committee, the original portion of the building features a gabled roof, classic box cornices, wide frieze board and cove profile molding. The beloved bell tower, which has been silent in recent years, was added in the late 1880s.

Another reason for saving the church, other than its historical or aesthetic merit, was that its owner, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, had intended to sell it, and residents feared that a new owner may have seen fit to demolish the structure.

The church, represented by Dale Hunzeker, was opposed to landmarking the properties. Hunzeker explained that landmark status would inhibit his ability to sell off the property, which had become useless to his denomination. Hunzeker did say at the November hearing that he wanted to sell it to someone who would keep the church intact, but that few wanted the responsibility that comes with maintaining a landmark.

The Town Board's resolution to grant landmark designation ensured that the church and graveyard would be saved for future generations. However, shortly before that ruling was made, there was already a strong indication that the church would likely be spared the wrecking ball. The Church of Latter Day Saints, on December 29, sold the church property to Coachman, a limousine company. Hunzeker found his buyer.

The owners of Coachman will run their limo business in the church basement, but in addition, they will book weddings in the chapel. Renaming the Old Methodist Church the Historical Church, Coachman is planning to hold wedding services for couples seeking a unique, antiquated setting in which to be married, thus optimizing the church's designation of landmark status.

"That's a very important and interesting concept," said Symons. "In landmarking, that's called adoptive reuse. In other words, what we're doing here is we're preserving the architectural quality yet putting the facility to a new and productive use, so we have the best of all worlds. We have it economically productive, and yet, again we are preserving our past, and social and cultural roots."

Coachman co-owner Harry Reese said, "It's the perfect situation for the community, for people living down the street and for the people who got married in the church 50 years, 60 years ago."

Reese uncovered this entrepreneurial opportunity by mere chance after engaging in a conversation at a local bar with someone who was friends with the owner. Reese and partner Matt Delaney unflinchingly bought the property, undaunted by its landmark status but ready to use it to their advantage.

There is still one Woodbury property that community residents hope will receive landmark designation - the Smith-Gibson House, for which the November 18 hearing was also held. Dr. Alfred Votypka, a longtime resident on the estate, owns the property and wishes to develop it into senior housing. This will prove to be a far more difficult decision for the board.

"The Votypka house has engendered more discussion and we continue to take a hard look at our position and whether or not it deserves landmark status," said Symons.

But in the meantime, as that debate rages on, the sound of chimes rings out in Woodbury and remind the people that they have salvaged at least two treasures. "I ring the bell every day now at 12 lunchtime," said Reese. "The old pastor always used to ring it. I figured we'd start ringing it again."