First Presbyterian Church of Bartlett Bell - Belton, TX
N 31° 04.751 W 097° 27.654
14R E 646818 N 3439395
The First Presbyterian Church of Bartlett now belongs to the ages, its sanctuary converted into a residence, but its old bell survives in front of the First Presbyterian Church at 2500 N Church St, Belton, TX.
Waymark Code: WM16D0Z
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 07/04/2022
Views: 1
A 2011 Texas Historical Marker in front of the Belton church provides some history:
On October 21, 1860, the Rev. Levi Tenney established a Presbyterian congregation in Belton with eight founding members. After meeting in several locations during its early years, property was purchased west of the intersection of Second Ave. and North Pearl St. for the construction of a church building in 1879. The church relocated in 1905-1906 to a site on North Main, and in 1964 to the intersection of Church and Greenbriar. In addition to supporting Presbyterian missions and programs, members have contributed to community projects such as the Helping Hands Ministry and Meals on Wheels. First Presbyterian today continues to serve as a spiritual leader in the Belton community.
The Bartlett church has since been saved and converted into a residence, and there are some nice before and after photos on the Williamson County Historical Commission's website, noting that the church was sold in 1998. Its historical marker provides a few sound bytes:
Built for congregation originally called Nazareth Church of the Central Texas Presbytery, and constituted on Indian Creek in June 1875. Reorganized here in 1897. Sanctuary erected in 1899. Victorian architecture.
This is a classic steel bell from the C.S. Bell Co. in Hillsboro, OH as identified on the #40 yoke. Painted silver, it stands well-protected on a concrete base, shielded on two sides, and a small plaque notes its provenance: "This bell was given by the Bartlett Presbyterian Church where it had been in service since 1900".
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