[1] The belfry was erected at its current location in 1762, but it was moved a few yards away to Lexington Common[2] in 1768, after Jonas Monroe, on whose land it originally stood, wanted the town to pay him taxes for keeping it there.

)[1] The bell that hung in it summoned locals to worship, reminded them at 9:00 pm to "rake up the fires and go to bed",[1] warned them of danger, tolled on their deaths, and rang out the initial alarm of what became the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.

In 1891, after it had fallen into a much-dilapidated state, it was refurbished and returned to its original location by the Lexington Historical Society after it was gifted to them by James S.

[4] In 1971, the Katharine Harrington House at the corner of Clarke Street and Massachusetts Avenue was torn down to make way for Belfry Hill Park.

[1] After a scout arrived to tell Captain John Parker that the British Regulars were just over a mile away, the bell was rung for a second time, summoning the 77 Minutemen.