Social Circle in Walton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Church Bell

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 9, 2021

1. The Church Bell Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

First erected prior to 1900

Fell when fire destroyed
church and tower on June 21, 1969

Mounted and rung on the Nation’s
Bicentennial on July 4, 1976

Erected on present site July 1980

Erected 1980.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Communications. In addition, it is included in the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1969.

Location. 33° 39.247′ N, 83° 43.228′ W. Marker is in Social Circle, Georgia, in Walton County. Marker is on South Cherokee Road just south of Memorial Street Southwest, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located near the sidewalk on the north side of the Social Circle United Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 261 South Cherokee Road, Social Circle GA 30025, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The March to the Sea (within shouting distance of this marker); In Memory of Emma Sansom (approx. 0.2 miles away); Social Circle

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Hightower Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Brick Store (approx. 3.9 miles away); Sherman at Harris’ Quarters (approx. 6.1 miles away); Centreville (approx. 6.3 miles away); Bank of Jersey (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Social Circle.

Also see . . . Social Circle United Methodist Church History.

On June 1, 1969, the Reverend “Jimmie” Thurman was returned by the Conference for his fourth successive year of ministry. That very Saturday night, at 11:40 p.m., a rapidly burning fire broke out and completely destroyed the Church and the Educational Building. Not until the dawn of Sunday morning, June 22, could the hard-working firemen bring the raging fire under control. By that time, only the twin bell towers that were built in 1907 remained, rising out of the still smoking debris to pose grim reminders of that once beautiful sanctuary. The towers also collapsed into the ashes a little later. Plans for a new Church began while the smoldering debris was not yet cool. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on April 19, 1970. The first service in the new building
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 9, 2021

2. The Church Bell Monument (east side)
was scheduled for January 31, 1971.

(Submitted on January 26, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Social Circle United Methodist Church cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 9, 2021

3. Social Circle United Methodist Church cornerstone

Organized 1829
Erected 1970

The Church Bell Monument (<i>north side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 9, 2021

4. The Church Bell Monument (north side)

In memory of
James F. Wiley, Sr.
by
Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Wiley, Jr.
and
Walter H. Wiley
by
The Walter H. Wiley Family

The Church Bell Monument (<i>south side</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 9, 2021

5. The Church Bell Monument (south side)

Honoring
The Berean
Sunday School Class
Mrs. P.I. Dixon
Mrs. R.C. Worsham, Sr.
Mrs. J.H.M. Simons
Mrs. J.S. Clegg
Mrs. T.J. Baccus
Mrs. W.D. Partee

Social Circle United Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 9, 2021

6. Social Circle United Methodist Church

(The Church Bell marker and monument are on right/north side)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 26, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.