Srinagar: The bell tolled in Kashmir's most prominent church for the first time in 50 years, with members of different communities attending the event.

The last time the bell had rung at the 121-year-old Holy Family Catholic Church on Maulana Azad Road in the heart of the Srinagar city centre was in June 1967.

The church, along with another, was burnt on June 7 that year following the Arab-Israel war, church spokesperson S.M. Rath told The Telegraph.

The two churches were later rebuilt but the bell at Holy Family Catholic Church could not be installed apparently because of the unrest in the Valley.

Rath said some 200 people, including Christians, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus, participated in Sunday's programme, during which the 105kg bell was installed.

The church was established in 1896 by Reverend Winkley. Forty families are its members.

Rath said Kashmir had seven churches, three of which are functional. Bells ring at two other churches.

Kashmir's miniscule Christian community had been praised last year for not celebrating Christmas in solidarity with the victims of the unrest.