Dick Olsen rings the bell at the Cumberland Community Events Center Saturday, May 9, 2026.
Saturday was another milestone in the long and continuing saga of the transformation of the former Cumberland Church in Albany into the Cumberland Community Events Center.
Last year the old church bell was refurbished and then rehung in the little steeple of the historic building. On Saturday the bell was dedicated.
Dick Olsen, a one-time mayor and former longtime city council member, did the honors by ringing the bell for a few minutes. A small crowd listened from inside and outside the building at Pine Street and Santiam Road.
Here is how that went:
I’ve written about the building dozens of times. To look at the old stories, search for “Cumberland” in the search field under the small ads to the right of this site.
The volunteers working on the transformation hope to be able to open the building for public events early in 2027. By that time the project will have cost around $2 million, Joel Orton of the events center nonprofit estimates.
The group has received some grants, but Orton says roughly two-thirds of the restoration’s expense has been covered by individual donations and gifts. (hh)
We were listening for the bell about nine blocks east of the Cumberland Community Events Center. Around twelve o’clock noon, after hearing loud sirens, dogs, weedwackers and saws we heard in the distance the clear golden ring of a church bell. Beautiful. Brings back memories.
These people promised that they would not ask for public assistance, that is one of the main reasons that they got the sweetheart deal, now they prove that they are not wanting to keep their word. I do not think the city can wave the utility fees /permits legally. I once told them that I would be in favor of selling them the church for a dollar and I would give them the dollar, they refused the dollar, and used my name to raise $8000.00 without my consent, I wonder what obligation there is for that?
Rich’s complaint sounds peevish to me. The Cumberland group saved the city a lot of expense and embarrassment. The city bought this building for $150,000 and then had no use for it. But it was faced with the need to either demolish a historic structure or spend great sums on preserving it. The Cumberland took it off the city’s hands. The restoration is a project that would have been eligible for CARA assistance but was ignored. Now the Cumberland group is doing the work that should have been done, at no great cost to the city except for he land on which it sits. Those properties too had long been ignored by the city government, and letting the Cumberland group have the lot is no loss to the taxpayers.
I 100% agree! Thank you, Thank you, Hasso!
Well stated Hering!
Peevish, outlandish, stooopidish, jealous much?
At a certain point (now), you just need to let them go…….. bye…bye
Thank you, Hasso.
People either keep their word or not, that is on them., if you make excuses for that…. well we all have our cross to bear.
The key word being embarrassment.
They should be thanking Yohn Baldwin from even more embarrassment.
Of course, CARA ignored the Cumberland Community Center’s grant application. CARA was transfixed on their few blocks of downtown 1st and 2nd Streets….wanting to gentrify it and yuppie it up for the few well-to-do people in this town and supposed tourists they thought they would draw. Now Trump’s economy is turning against CARA’s so-called improvements with high gasoline prices and sky-high food and restaurant-meal prices!! Dare I say, “Serves CARA right?” …But, at the same time, it hurt the Albany tax-payers.
Hasso, thank you for putting the situation into perspective.
I do want to clarify that the Cumberland PURCHASED the property that it now sits on from the City for $69,000.
What was the appraised value?
I am so proud of all of those who have worked so hard to make this come together! What a great community center it will be. I am sad that Emma was unable to attend.
Great job Mr. Olsen!! You rang it like you owned it, well done!!
Thank you, Hasso, as always for providing us insight into the happenings in Albany.
I love this! So wonderful that this old gorgeous church is being restored! I had admired this beautiful building since I was a little kid. Thank you so much for doing this!
The fight for CARA money will continue after it’s long gone…I would give up a 1000 bricks to have this church restored…..oh my 1000 bricks..