Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Focus on Jesus (Cartoon: Church of the Covered Dish) Manna-matic (Cartoon: Beyond the Ark) Water fears (Cartoon: Joe McKeever)
  • John 3:16
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Archive
  • Cartoons
    • Joe McKeever
    • Beyond the Ark
    • Church of the Covered Dish
    • Fletch
    • Preacher’s Kids
  • Contact
  • Louisiana
  • U.S. & Intl
  • Facts & Finds
  • Culture & Society
  • Editorial

A inscription is seen on one of the 96-year-old bells at First Baptist Church in Shreveport. The bells recently were renovated and dedicated during a special worship service. Glen Adkins photo

Church bells ring for the past, present and future

February 4, 2016

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.

 

Comments

Editorial

The race of faith: a marathon, not a sprint

When I ran cross country, our training involved running Monday through Friday and, occasionally, optional Saturday runs. We did “easy” days, long-distance days, sprint days (the worst), and more, all to make sure that we were in the best shape possible for our 5k race — a little over three miles — which occurred … Read More

Search

  • Trending
  • Recent
  • Must Read

Recent

EVANGELISM 101 (Part 8): A trauma-informed church will win souls

2025 Q2: Send Network La. yields 190 decisions,115 baptisms

SCOTUS rulings, other court cases

Must Read

FRC, Baptist leaders urge President Trump to stop mail-order abortions

Louisiana pastor is latest target of nationwide ‘pronoun’ attacks against religious freedom

President Trump: ‘We love you, God, and we love our great military. Protect them.’

Copyright © 2025 · News Pro Theme 2.1 On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in