Sunday was a day of rejoicing at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.

For the first time, the church has a steeple. And, not just a steeple, a steeple with music.

The church sanctuary was filled will church members and friends of the church for the dedication of the steeple and belfry music to the service of God.

The steeple and belfry music were the realization of Mamie McQuagge Carswell’s personal dream and vision for the church.

The Rev. Mack Lowery, church pastor, said that out of Carswell’s love for her church and her God, she bequeathed money to the church for the steeple and the belfry music.

“It was Mamie’s hope to see the church flourish,” Lowery said. “It was her foresight and vision for Mt. Moriah to have steeple. Today, the church has a steeple and we rejoice.”

Members of Carswell’s family attended the dedication service. Her daughter, Barbara Harris accepted, with grateful appreciation, a recognition plaque that will be mounted inside the church fellowship hall.

“I know that my mothers is smiling that wonderful, sweet mile of hers and looking down on us,” Harris said. “A church steeple is something that she had wanted for the church. She would be very happy and pleased.”

Lowery compared the steeple to a finger pointing upward to the sky, “And to God be the glory.”

Mary Mitchell said that her sister had wanted a steeple and was committed to making it a reality.

“Mamie traveled a lot and she was very interested in churches of all kinds,” Mitchell said. “But she said that churches with steeples seemed to be more reverent, more complete and she wanted Mt. Moriah to have a steeple.”

Steeples are rather expensive, especially for a small, rural church. Carswell realized that so she made provisions for a steeple for Mt. Moriah after her death.

“The belfry music in a wonderful addition to the steeple,” Mitchell said. “The computer program that operates the ‘bells’ can be programmed with up to 2,400 selections, including several of Mamie’s favorites – ‘Amazing Grace,’ ‘In the Garden’ and ‘Holy, Holy, Holy.’”

The music will be programmed to play at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. and may also be played for graveside services and other special services and events.

Mitchell said her sister was involved in many of the fundraising efforts of the church.

“Back in 2004, Mamie was aware of many of the needs of the church and said that we needed to start a fellowship group that would work to meet those needs,” Mitchell said.

The group, the Fellowship Workers for God, do a little of everything, from sweeping and mopping to baking and quilting and it is all done in support of the church and to the Glory of God.