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High Hill Church |
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The High Hill Church is located approximately 8 miles east of Marceline. It was built in the early 1880’s. The site was deeded March 26, 1881 from R. J. Wheeler and E. J. Wheeler, Bucklin, to L. S. Arbuckle, George Topham and J. M. Still, trustees of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination for the sum of $20 for six acres. Five acres were set aside for a cemetery. The name is derived from the location on a high divide between Mussel Fork and Brush Creek. It was officially known in Presbytery as the Brush Creek Congregation due to a previously named church of High Hill near Boonville. It was affiliated with the McGee Presbytery. Churches were few and far between, the closest in the area being Bucklin and New Cambria. Services were held in the homes. Families took their turn regardless of how humble their dwelling. Many older members who were children then, remember how beds were taken apart and moved in the yard, furniture was re-arranged and benches were carried in to accommodate the worshippers. When the need was felt for a permanent house of God, the settlers united in 1883 to build the structure which stands today. The Cumberland Presbyterians, being the majority, reserved the right for a minister of their creed to preach on a given Sunday each month, with other ministers, circuit riders or guests being permitted to fill the pulpit the rest of the time. Sunday School has been held during the years, regardless of weather. Although the road to the church is now graveled and is ‘all-weather’, it has not always been so. Many of the tall trees near the church once were hitching posts to spirited horses of the young men, and the patient work teams that were tied by the family men who had their children in buggies, wagons and rigs of various descriptions. Sunday School is held each week. A lay minister, Jim Bolin, Macon, preaches every second and fourth Sunday. Many of the descendants of the original members are still in the area and worship regularly in the church. Submitted by Flossie (Henry) Brown |
