Jones Music Hall Story

When they moved to the South Panola County area of East Texas from Houston several years ago, Earnest and Doris Jones had no idea how God was about to use them. One thing they did know is that they love Gospel music. They also knew that they had a work to do at their church, Springs of Living Water, Pastored by Mrs. Jones' brother, Leroy Bowley, and they both put tremendous effort into helping the church grow by assisting with building, getting to know neighbors and inviting them to church and a multitude of other God-inspired duties. The Jones' were instrumental in helping to establish the monthly Gospel Singings that still take place the first Saturday of every month at the church. Both their church and community involvement led the Jones' to develop a network of friends who also love gospel music. So, in addition to the monthly singings at the church, they started inviting people over to their house for singing and playing, food and fellowship on Tuesday nights. It wasn't long before the fellowship had outgrown the living and dining rooms, which were packed with between 30 and 50 people plus instruments every Tuesday night!

The time had come for the Jones', along with a group of charter regulars at that time including Frank and Audrey James of Caledonia and Carl London of Carthage, to decide how to accommodate the growth of the fellowship. The Jones' already had a garage apartment built behind their house, so they opted to build on to it and make it a Music Hall for the Tuesday night singings.

After a lot of prayer and hard work from many people, the building was finished and dedicated in the summer of 1999. Now folks from all over the East Texas area and from many various denominations gather together on Tuesday nights with their instruments and songs to praise the Lord. There's a piano, acoustic, bass and lead guitars, autoharps, banjos, mandolins, a fiddles, and other instruments that people might bring to play that blend in beautiful music dedicated to God. And, according to the Jones' there's always room for more! For the most part, Southern Gospel and Traditional church music is the theme, but you'll probably hear just about all types of inspired Christian music from time to time.

The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, and a great place to meet people of all ages and backgrounds. Those who attend are always welcome to share in the covered-dish meal that is served buffet-style.

Everyone is invited every Tuesday night at 7:00pm. If you sing, bring a song. If you play an instrument, bring it. If you like to just sit back and listen, then come and join others who love to praise the Lord in song.

The Jones' Music Hall is located on FM 1971 about 3-1/2 miles south of the Lake Murvaul Bridge and about 1/2 mile north of Springs of Living Water Church/FM 999. For more information or to get directions, call the Jones' at 903-898-2932.