150 Years on the Hill | The Story of Cedar Hill Baptist Church

By Teresa Swigert Sweet Owen Contributor

The Baptist Church of Christ at Cedar Hill was the name recorded in the 1891 minutes, the church’s earliest records. Later, the 1924 minutes listed the name as it remains today: Cedar Hill Baptist Church.

Regardless of the name, I am thankful that in 1876 Mussel Shoals Baptist Church felt led by the Holy Spirit to establish a mission church at Cedar Hill. My heritage began there, but more importantly, my faith today was shaped by those early Christians who formed this church 150 years ago.

I love Cedar Hill Baptist Church. As a trustee, I help care for this old building, which has been expanded at least three — and possibly four — times over the years. However, it is not the building that keeps me attending. It is the body of believers who worship and serve at 3930 Highway 127 South.

I have deep admiration and respect for both current and former members. Like most church congregations, there have been differences of opinion and hurt feelings through the years, but this small church has remained a God-fearing, Bible-believing congregation. The people are loving, caring, forgiving, giving — and welcoming.

Visitors are welcomed warmly, not singled out. They are greeted with handshakes, smiles and phrases such as “Glad you came” and “Join us again.”

One member recalls how warmly she was welcomed at her first Fall Festival. She said the church’s strong sense of family was unique. Because the church is located on one of the busiest highways in Owen County, travelers occasionally have stopped in over the years.

I remember one Sunday evening when a weary truck driver joined us for worship. It can be difficult to walk into a place where you know no one. I am grateful he felt welcomed, and I hope he also felt the love of Jesus.

The road in front of the church likely always has been busy, though not nearly as fast-paced as today. In 1876, travel was primarily by horse and buggy or on foot. For that reason, I am amazed to read in an earlier church history that Cedar Hill Baptist Church began with 75 members.

Although I do not have a list of charter members, the following names appear in the 1891 and 1892 minutes: Agee, Bourn, Brissy, Clifton, Cubbage, Eddington, Fowler, Hensley, Herndon, Holbrook, Hyatt, Jacob, Jackson, Johnson, Kemper, Kenney, Leak, Lewis, McNeer, Mostgun, Oliver, Roberts, Scott, Smith, Stamper, Stringfellow, Swigert, Thomas, Wingate and Wood.

Many of these names also appear near the church on the 1883 Atlas of Owen County.

Like many small churches in Owen County, Cedar Hill Baptist Church was established to serve residents in its surrounding community. The Cedar Hill community needed a place to worship.

I once imagined Cedar Hill in 1876 as primitive, but accounts suggest otherwise. It reportedly developed into a small community. In addition to a school across from the church, there was a general store nearby. Communities also existed along Severn Creek.

Even more surprising, a distillery and grocery store once stood where the dam at Elmer Davis Lake is now located. A mill also operated farther down the creek.

People walked up the hills from Severn Creek and from farms along the highway to hear the Word of God preached at Cedar Hill Baptist Church.

The two front doors allowed women to enter and sit on one side of the sanctuary while men entered and sat on the other.

According to current member Fadana Bramblett, that practice ended in 1948 when her parents, Lawrence and Ann Riddle, began attending with their 10 children. Bramblett joked that her mother needed help keeping the children behaved.

In addition to the separate front doors, a wire once stretched across the sanctuary to hang curtains dividing Sunday school classes. Two potbellied stoves heated the sanctuary.

During the summer months, the four windows on each side of the church were raised for airflow and so the countryside could hear the congregation’s singing.

Today, the church has two HVAC systems to keep worshippers comfortable. Gospel groups occasionally still fill the sanctuary with loud music that vibrates the windows.

Other improvements include media equipment to enhance worship services, though hymnals and Bibles remain available in every pew. The church now has a baptistry, eliminating the need to travel to Severn Creek or borrow another church’s facility for baptisms.

Outdoor privies are long gone. The church now has four restrooms, including two that are handicap accessible — one upstairs and one downstairs.

I wish some of our departed members could have enjoyed these improvements.

The trees in front of the church were removed to create parking spaces. One tree, however, was removed because it housed bees. A former pastor reportedly said, “Either the bees go, or I go.”

There is still beautiful timber behind the church. I doubt the current trustee could make similar demands about the walnut trees. Besides, they provide shade and beauty to the church grounds — though visitors should watch their step during fall and winter.

I previously mentioned that my heritage began when this church was formed. My ancestors and relatives have appeared on church membership rolls from the beginning.

My maternal grandparents were married in their car beside the church by Bro. Levi Kemper in 1933. Apparently, they were shy, and Bro. Levi was accommodating.

My parents met at this church around 1949. Both had attended occasionally as children because tenant farming families often moved frequently.

Although they were not married at the church, R.C. and Mary (Hammond) Swigert have attended for many years and are now the oldest couple still attending.

While my heritage was established here, my faith in Christ grew through hearing God’s Word preached and taught by loving and faithful church members over the years. Some of those members still help ground me in my faith, even though many have no ancestral connection to Cedar Hill Baptist Church. They simply chose to make this church their home.

Fellowship with the body of Christ is rooted in Scripture. Hebrews 10:25 says:

“You should not stay away from the church ... but you should meet together and encourage each other.”

Today, many attend for fellowship, encouragement, prayer, worship and opportunities to serve God.

One remarkable couple, Larry and Sherry Ayres, moved to the community in 1973. Both were originally from Owen County, though from different areas.

Larry shared that one of his carpool companions to Frankfort was Lou Ann Wainscott, now deceased. She attended Cedar Hill Baptist Church and told him about David and Juanita Doughtery, who recently had lost their only son, Mark, in a drowning accident at Elk Lake.

Despite their tragedy, Lou Ann described the couple’s remarkable faith and joy. Larry said he wanted to be part of a church like that.

A few months later, after visiting other churches in the area, Larry and Sherry joined Cedar Hill Baptist Church and have remained members ever since.

Over the years, they came to know and love faithful members such as the Doughterys and eventually became role models themselves.

Cedar Hill Baptist Church, which began as a mission church, has long supported mission work.

In 1925, the church maintained a preaching station on North Severn Creek, where about 20 families lived. In the 1930s, Sunday school services were held at the Kenny School House on Old Monterey Road.

The church continues to support women participating in Women’s Mission Union, first organized there in 1940.

Cedar Hill Baptist Church continues to support local, state, North American and international missions. The church has also been a member of the Owen County Baptist Association since hosting its first meeting in 1925.

According to the Kentucky Baptist Convention, Cedar Hill began Cooperative Program giving with a $19 contribution in 1928. In 2025, the church contributed $13,270.

Since 1928, Cedar Hill has contributed approximately $458,000 to the Cooperative Program to support international missionaries, ministry training, church planting and other ministries.

The church also has supported individual youth participating in mission trips.

Youth and children’s ministries have always been important at Cedar Hill. It is likely the church has not missed a year of Vacation Bible School since the first one in 1938.

In 1986 alone, 152 people participated in Vacation Bible School.

The church began its van ministry in 1988 and consistently has reached children through Wednesday night programs.

Currently, WOW — “Worship on Wednesdays” — gives children opportunities to learn about Jesus through music, fellowship and fun.

Over the years, church events have included Fall Festivals, homecomings, revivals, two Wildlife Showcases and concerts.

We invite you to celebrate God’s faithfulness with us during our 150th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Sept. 20.

Perhaps you once attended Cedar Hill Baptist Church or are a descendant of one of its early members. If so, we invite you to share your memories and history with us. Make plans now to join us.