Philippi Church: Agatized Coral Rockhounding in Bedford County, Tennessee

Updated June 2026

Philippi Church is a mapped rockhounding spot in Bedford County, Tennessee. Reported finds include agatized coral. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.

Quick details

Access: Public area
County: Bedford County
State: Tennessee
Nearest road: Philippi Road
Postcode: 37183
Coordinates: 35.51414, -86.38586

Geology at Philippi Church

This spot sits on Nashville Group; Bigby-Cannon Limestone and Hermitage Formation, mapped as limestone and calcarenite that formed roughly 485 to 445 million years ago. Limestone like this typically forms in ancient seas, so marine fossils such as brachiopods, corals, and crinoids tend to weather out of fresh exposures.

Mapped unit: Nashville Group; Bigby-Cannon Limestone and Hermitage Formation
Age: 485–445 Ma (Ordovician)
Rock types: limestone and calcarenite
Elevation: 890 ft

Geologic mapping via Macrostrat and the underlying state geological survey maps (CC BY 4.0). Bedrock at the surface can vary within a mapped unit.

Best time to visit Philippi Church

Conditions here are workable year-round, with typical highs from 49°F in winter to 89°F in summer.

Climate normals: NOAA 1991-2020 monthlies, SHELBYVILLE WATER DEPT station (5 mi away).

Land & collecting status

Generally open to casual rockhounding

Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.

Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.

Sources & verification

Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.

Sources: RockHoundR public spot dataset, app land overlays, and local agency review before each trip.

Found at Philippi Church

Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.

Agatized Coral Encyclopedia →

Nearby rockhounding spots

Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Philippi Church.

Across the state line from Philippi Church

Philippi Church is close enough to the Tennessee border that the next-closest rockhounding spots are in a neighboring state. Worth knowing if you are already on the road.

Rising FawnDade County, Georgia · 71 mi awayHalloysite

Philippi Church FAQ

Where is Philippi Church?+

Philippi Church is in Bedford County, Tennessee, at 35.51414, -86.38586. Nearest road: Philippi Road.

What rocks and minerals can you find at Philippi Church?+

Philippi Church is reported to produce Agatized Coral.

Is collecting allowed at Philippi Church?+

Generally open to casual rockhounding. Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig. Always confirm current rules with the managing agency before a trip.

What tools should I bring to Philippi Church?+

A rock hammer, a cold chisel, safety glasses, and newspaper or foam for wrapping finds cover most fossil ground. A trowel and a sieve help in soft exposures.

When is the best time to visit Philippi Church?+

Philippi Church is workable year-round.

How do I get to Philippi Church?+

Open the directions link to navigate to 35.51414, -86.38586 in Google Maps. The nearest road is Philippi Road.

More rockhounding in Tennessee

See all 59 Tennessee spots →

Open Philippi Church on the map

Use the RockHoundR app for live land overlays, weather, geology, directions, and saved finds.