Near Brownsville in Haywood County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Church Bell History
The bell bears the engraving of C. S. Bell & Co. of Hillsboro, Ohio Yoke #28, built more than 100 years ago. It was purchased at the time the frame church was built, after 1866.
In the early 1920's when the present brick building was constructed, the bell was moved from the old frame church and hung in a wooden tower located in front of the building where the new tower is now.
According to historical records, the following persons were bell ringers: “Old Man” Ben Blue, who rang the bell at the old frame building. Subsequent ringers were Bro. Johnnie King Reed, Bro. Eli Jarrett, Bro. Henry Nelson Bond, Bro. Sam Mann, and Bro. Johnnie Jarrett.
Each time the bell tolled, it was to convey a significant meaning or message that the members understood. The bell was rung every Sunday morning on the 1st and 3rd Sundays for Sunday School; every 2nd and 4th Sundays for regular services. The bell tolled on the morning of a funeral service and always when the funeral procession was approaching the church grounds. During revival week the bell was rung daily for all three services. The sound of the bell could be heard for miles around and was often relayed by other bells on adjoining farms.
Messages were sent by the bell ringers from the 1870's through the early 1940's when the old wooden tower began to weaken and had to be dismantled. The old bell was stored away in silence. It has been rehung in a new brick Memorial Tower. Hopefully it will ring for the next 100 years.
Let us continue to use the bell as an object representing the voice of God summoning the believers to the services and ministries of the Woodlawn Missionary Baptist Church, reminding us of the love of our Lord and Jesus Christ, strengthening our hope, our faith, and a desire within us to serve a loving God.
In whom the gift of freedom dwelt'
May they be used for many days
To ring our great Creator's praise.
Erected by Woodlawn Missionary Baptist Church.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.
Location. 35° 39.211′ N, 89° 21.901′ W. Marker is near Brownsville, Tennessee, in Haywood County. Marker is on Woodlawn Road, 0.4 miles south of Tennessee Route 19, on the right when traveling south. Marker is on the bell tower in front of Woodlawn Missionary Baptist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 363 Woodlawn Rd, Brownsville TN 38012, 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. In Memory of Rev. Harden Smith (a few steps from this marker); Woodlawn Baptist Church (a few steps from this marker); James Bond (approx. 6.3 miles away); Richard Halliburton (approx. 6.6 miles away); College Hill Center Historic District (approx. 6.6 miles away); Haywood County's C.S.A. Colonels (approx. 6.6 miles away); Joseph Wingate Folk (approx. 6.7 miles away); Brownsville Public School / Haywood County Memorial Hospital (approx. 6.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.
Also see . . . Our Story. A long line of pastors have shepherded the church's spiritual and physical growth through the years. (Woodlawn Missionary Baptist Church) (Submitted on June 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.