Fairfield in Freestone County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

First Methodist Church Bell

Photographed by James Hulse, April 30, 2025

1. First Methodist Church Bell Marker

Inscription. Soon after Fairfield Female College opened here in 1858, plans were made to have a bell cast. The students gave some of their money and jewelry to give "tone" to the bell and the citizens added several hundred dollars in silver. The bell was made in England, then shipped to Galveston and hauled here by ox-wagon. Because of its great weight, college officials had the bell placed in a special frame on the front porch. When the college buildings were torn down in 1900, the bell was given to the Methodist Church, where it is still in use today.

Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 9875.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 31° 43.653′ N, 96° 9.661′ W. Marker is in Fairfield, Texas, in Freestone County. It is at the intersection of W Comanche Street and N Mount Street, on the right when traveling west on W Comanche Street. The marker is located at the entrance to the First Methodist Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 N Mount St, Fairfield TX 75840, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of Law Office General John Gregg (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Freestone County

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(about 800 feet away); Captain L.D. Bradley (approx. 0.2 miles away); Val Verde Battery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Potter-Watson Log Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Butler Church Bell (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carter Log House (approx. 0.2 miles away); 1881 Freestone County Jail (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfield.

The entrance to the First Methodist Church and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 30, 2025

2. The entrance to the First Methodist Church and Marker

First Methodist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 30, 2025

3. First Methodist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on May 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.