Moran Church of Christ Bell - Moran Cemetery - Moran, TX
N 32° 32.560 W 099° 08.403
14S E 486850 N 3600597
The church bell used by the inactive Moran Church of Christ now stands in the church's honor atop a cairn near the tabernacle at the back of historic Moran Cemetery.
Waymark Code: WM117M2
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 09/01/2019
Views: 6
A 2017 Texas Historical Marker is mounted on the cairn that supports the bell, which has been cleaned up and painted gold, and it provides some background:
The Hulltown Church of Christ organized shortly after the establishment of the village of Hulltown (later Moran) in 1883. In the early years, the congregation met in different homes. In 1886, real estate investor, Bem Scott, deeded Block 30, Lots 3 and 4 of the original town site to the church for construction of a church building, and work soon began at the corner of Cooper and Grace Streets. Hulltown/Moran pioneer, John C. English, did the rock work for the foundation while carpenters, E.A. Merritt and Frank McLaury, worked on the building with the help of church members.
Three of the earliest ministers were Silas Scarborough, W.A. Bentley and Squire L. Barker. During his ministry, Barker wrote numerous articles for national Christian publications, and while advocating for relief efforts during the severe drought of 1886, he toured Red Cross founder, Clara Barton, around the Hulltown area. The longest-serving minister of the church was Elder, Cole Jackson (1882-1958), who was installed in 1910, a position he held until his retirement in 1949. The property was expanded and remodeled in 1954 with the capacity for almost 200 people.
Although the church continued to prosper, in the 1990s, membership had decreased until the church was closed in 2011. The building was sold in 2016 and a scholarship was created for young ministers at Abilene Christian University with the proceeds. The 130-year-old cast iron bell, manufactured by the C.S. Bell Company of Hillsboro, Ohio, was retained by the membership and relocated to a monument built to honor the church in the Moran Cemetery.
-----
The church building itself still stands, and while there are Internet references to its being a museum, those days may be past, as there are "No Trespassing" signs on the front doors and bars on the windows. It could use a little TLC, but it looks to be in decent shape otherwise.
Visit Instructions:As a suggestion for your visit log, please make every effort to supply a brief-to-detailed note about your experience at the Waymark. If possible also include an image that was taken when you visited the Waymark. Images can be of yourself, a personal Waymarking signature item or just one of general interest that would be of value to others. Sharing your experience helps promote Waymarking and provides a dynamic history of your adventures.