North Newport News , Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Church Bell
Erected December 1993
Ringing of the church bell was a tradition in most Black churches that was begun at FBD during the 1890's. It rang for Sunday worship services, funerals, and New Year's Eve. Each occasion had a special chime. The rings for worship service were three strong ones. Funerals had long slow rings until the processional was inside the church. New Year's Eve drew six or more loud rings. This tradition was discontinued between 1960 and 1966.
Erected 1993 by First Baptist Church Denbigh.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1960.
Location. 37° 7.216′ N, 76° 31.377′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in North Newport News. It is on Campbell Road south of Aspen Meadow Lane, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3959 Campbell Rd, Newport News VA 23602, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula, in Hampton Roads, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, 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, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Two USCT Heroes (within shouting distance of this marker); Providence Mennonite Church (approx. 0.9 miles away); Mathews Mill
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Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 4, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
