Fort Gibson in Muskogee County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)
History of the Church Bell
Photographed by James Hulse, September 11, 2025
1. History of the Church Bell Marker
Inscription.
History of the Church Bell. . In December 1832, the Rev. John Fleming, Presbyterian Missionary, arrived at Fort Gibson to take up the work of chaplain for the soldiers at the fort and settlers in the area of the fort, and also, as a missionary to the Creek Indians, who were located on the Verdigris River nearby. Services began in the post chapel which was located immediately east of the stockade. The foundation of this old chapel is still in existence., Rev. Fleming decided that a bell was needed to call the people to services. The Presbyterian Board of Mission had this bell cast in Philadelphia and shipped it by boat down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and up the Arkansas and Grand Rivers to Fort Gibson. This bell arrived at Fort Gibson some time in 1833 and was erected on the post chapel. An old picture of the post chapel appears on page 76 in the book, Fort Gibson Gateway to the West, by C.W. West. It can be observed from this picture, the stantions on top of the chapel which held this bell in place, the bell had been removed when the picture was taken. , In 1873, steps were taken to organize a regular Presbyterian Church and that organization was consumated in April, 1874. In about 1875, the Presbyterians built a frame church house and removed the bell from the old chapel building to this church house. This building burned in 1926 and in this fire, the bell was cracked when the new church building was constructed in 1928. A belfry was not constructed and this bell remained on the church property until 1936 when the Presbyterian Church placed this historical bell in the Fort Gibson stockade where it was exhibited to the public. , This bell was used for nearly a century to call folks from a distance of even two miles around to worship. , This history was written by Mr. O.B. Boydstun in 1986. Mr. O.B. Boydstun died (Age 87) and his family and friends had the bell displayed at the church as a memorial to him. The present church building is built on the site with the same floor plan as was the frame building (mentioned above).
In December 1832, the Rev. John Fleming, Presbyterian Missionary, arrived at Fort Gibson to take up the work of chaplain for the soldiers at the fort and settlers in the area of the fort, and also, as a missionary to the Creek Indians, who were located on the Verdigris River nearby. Services began in the post chapel which was located immediately east of the stockade. The foundation of this old chapel is still in existence.
Rev. Fleming decided that a bell was needed to call the people to services. The Presbyterian Board of Mission had this bell cast in Philadelphia and shipped it by boat down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and up the Arkansas and Grand Rivers to Fort Gibson. This bell arrived at Fort Gibson some time in 1833 and was erected on the post chapel. An old picture of the post chapel appears on page 76 in the book, Fort Gibson Gateway to the West, by C.W. West. It can be observed from this picture, the stantions on top of the chapel which held this bell in place, the bell had been removed when the picture was taken.
In 1873, steps were taken to organize a regular Presbyterian Church and that organization was consumated in April, 1874. In about 1875, the Presbyterians built a frame church house and removed the bell from the old chapel building to this church house. This building burned in 1926 and
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in this fire, the bell was cracked when the new church building was constructed in 1928. A belfry was not constructed and this bell remained on the church property until 1936 when the Presbyterian Church placed this historical bell in the Fort Gibson stockade where it was exhibited to the public.
This bell was used for nearly a century to call folks from a distance of even two miles around to worship.
This history was written by Mr. O.B. Boydstun in 1986. Mr. O.B. Boydstun died (Age 87) and his family and friends had the bell displayed at the church as a memorial to him. The present church building is built on the site with the same floor plan as was the frame building (mentioned above).
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 month for this entry is December 1832.
Location. 35° 47.941′ N, 95° 15.103′ W. Marker is in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, in Muskogee County. It is at the intersection of North Lee Street and E Blackjack, on the right when traveling north on North Lee Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 220 N Lee St, Fort Gibson OK 74434, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Muscogee Nation and specifically in the Cherokee Nation. It is also in the American South, specifically on the prairies, and on the Southern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Fort Gibson (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Revolutionary War Patriots
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 84 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
