Honea Path in Anderson County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Story of the Bell
By Mrs. Mary Meyers
Photographed By Brian Scott, November 2, 2010
1. The Story of the Bell Marker
Inscription.
The Story of the Bell. By Mrs. Mary Meyers.
The talk was the dream of Rev. J.A. Marler, Pastor, to have a church bell. The members were too poor to buy one. Several men began to make plans to purchase a bell by raising money through pledges. Mr. George Lollis, Chairman of Chiquola Manufacturing Company, approached Carolina Textile Company, a supplier to Chiquola, to obtain a bell. The Carolina Textile company donated the bell. The bell community surprised Rev. Marler with the bell. Since he lived out of town, this was possible. It Rang the first time before Rev. Marler's 11:00 AM service. Rev. Marler jumped up and began to shout and cry. It was rung every Sunday at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, and at 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM to announce church services. The bell was rung at funerals. Mr. Ben (Uncle Ben) David rang the bell until he retired in 1958. He went home to be with the Lord on March 13, 1959. He served faithfully for twenty-seven years as church custodian and reminds us of the words of the Psalmist, "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God." After his retirerment, Harold and Delane Fisher rang the bell until 1959. The bell rang again in August 1980 at the 75th anniversary of Chiquola Baptist Church. Now! The bell can be rung again. Installed 2007..
The talk was the dream of Rev. J.A. Marler, Pastor, to have a church bell. The members were too poor to buy one. Several men began to make plans to purchase a bell by raising money through pledges. Mr. George Lollis, Chairman of Chiquola Manufacturing Company, approached Carolina Textile Company, a supplier to Chiquola, to obtain a bell. The Carolina Textile company donated the bell. The bell community surprised Rev. Marler with the bell. Since he lived out of town, this was possible. It Rang the first time before Rev. Marler's 11:00 AM service. Rev. Marler jumped up and began to shout and cry. It was rung every Sunday at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, and at 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM to announce church services. The bell was rung at funerals. Mr. Ben (Uncle Ben) David rang the bell until he retired in 1958. He went home to be with the Lord on March 13, 1959. He served faithfully for twenty-seven years as church custodian and reminds us of the words of the Psalmist,
"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God."
After his retirerment, Harold and Delane Fisher rang the bell until 1959.
The bell rang again in August 1980 at the 75th anniversary of Chiquola Baptist Church.
Now! The bell can be rung again. Installed 2007.
Erected
Click or scan to see this page online
2007 by Chiquola Baptist Church.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1896.
Location. 34° 26.783′ N, 82° 23.25′ W. Marker is in Honea Path, South Carolina, in Anderson County. Marker can be reached from East Greer Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located near the bell memorial, which is located to the left of the church's south entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 East Greer Street, Honea Path SC 29654, United States of America. Touch for directions.
website of Chiquola Baptist Church. (Submitted on November 27, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
Photographed By Brian Scott, November 2, 2010
3. Chiquola Baptist Church
Photographed By Brian Scott, November 2, 2010
4. Chiquola Baptist Church Entrance
Photographed By Brian Scott, November 2, 2010
5. Chiquola Baptist Church Sign
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 810 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 27, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.
