The Gypsy Stone

The Gypsy Stone

The Gypsy Stone is a small but meaningful landmark long connected with the life and ministry of the evangelist Rodney “Gypsy” Smith, one of the most beloved revival preachers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Located near Epping Forest in England, this simple stone marks the place where Smith, then a young Romani boy living in a wagon home, first sensed the stirring of God’s call upon his heart.

Though the stone itself is unremarkable in appearance, its significance rests in what it represents—a moment of surrender, shaping the life of a man who would travel the world preaching the gospel. Smith often spoke of his humble beginnings and the transforming grace he encountered. The Gypsy Stone became a reminder that God’s work frequently begins in quiet places, far from public attention.

Pilgrims and admirers have visited the site for decades, not to venerate the stone, but to reflect on the faithfulness of God in raising up servants from every background. The Gypsy Stone stands today as a practical symbol of the truth that the Lord calls whom He will, equips those He calls, and uses the willing heart more than the polished pedigree.