The Bell Tower @ Mt. Pisgah A.M.E. Church - Lawnside, NJ
N 39° 52.265 W 075° 02.255
18S E 496785 N 4413449
This beautiful bell tower, located over the front vestibule, is a wonderful feature of this very old church . The top of the tower has two open slits on all three sides and is very gothic in nature. Sided with wooden shake shingles.
Waymark Code: WM7249
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 08/21/2009
Views: 7
Some historical sources show that African American, Haddonfield church members w/ encouragement from the Lawnside Church decided to build their own around 1885. The church was officially set up in November of 1887.
I am very surprised this church does not have an individual listing on the NRHP. There is a church cemetery in the rear. I saw many markers from the mid-19th century. I was able to verify the age of the church through the church's SITE as well as using deductive reasoning and common sense from the gravestones found in the rear.
I also found a reference to the church and cemetery HERE as well (our local county historical site). It references Peter Mott (owner of oldest home in Lawnside, site of underground railroad:
Attended by a doctor from nearby Haddonfield, Mott died in Free Haven on Nov. 28, 1881, and was buried in the cemetery of Mt. Pisgah Church.
I would strongly recommend visiting the church website to get a complete picture of the church's history. Although there is some debate over the year the church was constructed, clearly, it is approximately 120 to 125 years old, definitely a centurion!