Philadelphia's oldest church is restoring a bell connected to the first celebrations of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Gloria Dei Episcopal Church – also known as Old Swede's — received a $569,367 grant from the National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund. The funds are being used to repair its roof — which once held lightning rods installed by Benjamin Franklin — and restore the bronze bell ahead of next year's semiquincentennial celebrations honoring America's 250th birthday. MORE: City Council condemns President Trump over plans to alter the slavery exhibit at Independence Park

Citing oral history, Gloria Dei says its original bell was among those that rang on July 8, 1776 after the Declaration of Independence was read to the public for the first ti

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