In 1852 Elisha H. Groves, John D. Lee, and others built a fort on Ash Creek called Harmony. The fort was abandoned in 1854, and a new site was located called Fort Harmony. Following disastrous floods in 1862, settlers again moved and established New Harmony, where the first log schoolhouse was built in 1863. Through community effort, a frame structure was erected. For nearly a century, the bell atop this building called citizens to church, school, and other public gatherings. Wilson D. Pace served as first Bishop.