By Message Staff
SHREVEPORT – The 96-year-old steeple bells at First Baptist Church in Shreveport have seen their share of history, including renovations at their original structure and a move from downtown Shreveport to the current facility in the south side of town.
In November 2015, the steeple bells experienced a renovation of their own.
For three months, crews worked on improvements to the historic bells that were purchased from the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, Md., and donated by Mrs. EM Layne in memory of her husband, Robert Thompson Layne.
Repairs and updates include new clappers, improved audio for hearing the bells in the worship center, and computerized control of the ringing of the bells with a Schulmerich Electronic system. The cost for the renovation was $68,615.
The congregation gathered with others from the community and state to celebrate the steeple bell renovations during a special service on Jan. 24.
“We have discovered that our restored steeple bells are a great outreach tool for our church,” said Glen Adkins, minister of music at First Baptist Shreveport. “People both in the church and outside the church tell us how much they enjoy hearing the hymns at noon each day, as well as the chiming of the hour.
“It is especially significant that Mrs. Hobert Joyner (Virginia) helped to make this renovation possible, because her grandfather, Dr. M.E. Dodd, was senior pastor when the bells were first dedicated on January 1, 1922,” he continued. “Dr. Dodd is considered the father of the SBC Cooperative Program as well as being president of the SBC in 1934-35.”
Joyner and her children Ginellen, Emilane, and Elenrae made contributions to honor the memory of her husband and their father Hubert Lane Joyner.
The memories of Mary Allen Robinson Smith and Edward C. (Kit) Robinson Jr. also were honored with contributions by John Allen Smith, Hermione ‘Bitsy’ J. Smith and Brian and Sallie Smith Florsheim.
The bells announce worship services, and play the Westminster Chimes melody at the top of every hour from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and hymns at noon.
