Our Story
Every Great Place Has a Story.
Some stories begin with a building. Others begin with a vision. The Rustic Bell begins with both.
Russiaville, Indiana
The Bell
For Over a Century, It Called People Together
For well over a century, the bell in this little country church called generations of people together. It rang during celebrations and sorrow, weddings and funerals, Sunday mornings and community gatherings.
Long before cell phones and social media, the sound of the bell meant one simple thing: Come. Come worship. Come find hope. Come be encouraged. Come be together.
The building changed through the years, but the purpose of the bell never changed. It always invited people in. Today, the bell still calls people together — but in a new way.
Why Rustic?
Because Life's Greatest Lessons Are Learned in Simple Places
On front porches. In old barns. Around campfires. Walking wooded trails. Serving meals together. Working with horses. Helping neighbors. Sitting around tables. The Rustic Bell isn't polished or pretentious. It isn't about perfection. It's about authenticity — real people helping other people discover who God created them to be.
"Jesus' ministry was incredibly rustic. He taught from boats, on hillsides, beside wells, around dinner tables, on dusty roads, in fishing villages. Very little of His ministry happened in impressive buildings. It happened where people lived."
That's the spirit of this place.
Our Story
Our Mission
The Goal Has Always Been People
"The Rustic Bell exists to help children, families, and communities grow stronger together."
Where young people are encouraged
Where leaders are developed
Where families reconnect
Where friendships are built
Where faith is explored
Where purpose is discovered
We hope every person who walks through our doors leaves stronger than when they arrived — more confident, more compassionate, more courageous, more rooted, more prepared to serve.
Part of Something Larger
A Thread Connecting Everything We've Built
We didn't buy an old church because we wanted another building. We bought it because we wanted another place to invest in people. That's the thread connecting everything:
Anna's Acres
Uses horses, land, and experiences to build confidence and community.
Visit Anna's Acres →
The Rustic Bell
The place where people are invited to grow — in faith, character, leadership, and purpose.
The Bell Still Calls.
The setting is still simple. The mission is still people. Come see what God is building here — we'd love to meet your family.