Denison Herald
July 25, 1972
AREA SETTLED LONG BEFORE BELLS STARTED

FIRST CHURCH
The Methodist Church was organized soon after the town was founded. A church building was located in the northwest Bells about 1889 and a Rev. N. J. Miller was one of the first pastors. He was the grandfather of Mrs. Leta McElliott of Bells, who later served as postmaster for many years. The church moved to its present location in
South Bells in 1889. Its building was destroyed by fire that ignited when the pastor, Rev. S. Baxton Bryant, was burning the grass on the vacant lot.

However, Rev. Bryant led the Methodist in a million-dollar campaign that helped pay for a handsome new building and gave the church and the town of Bells wide fame.