Bluff Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church

SALE OF THE BLUFF SPRINGS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 

Worker: Frank B. Cook 

May 8, 1941

Madison, Missouri 

Subject: A sketch of the Sale of the defunct Bluff Springs Presbyterian church, from the Monroe County Appeal (Aug 20, 1920) a weekly paper published in Paris, Mo. 

The old Bluff Spring Church was sold at public auction from the church yard. The highest bidders being the Nevins Bros. Their bid was $280.00. 

From an old record in possession of W. E. Sproul, it seems that Bluff Springs Church was organized on 15th of Aug 1841, with charter members as follows: Wharton S. Lampton, Deanah D. Lampton, James Vaughn, Jane McGee, Robert Moore, Lucinda M. Lampton, Thomas Vaughn, Eliner E. Lampton, Mary Sproul, Nancy L. Lampton, Lucretia Williams, Eliza F. Sproul, Lucilla Moore, Samuel M. Sproul, Eliza Vaughn, (Joseph) E. Sproul, Elizabeth J. Sproul, Prudence Isabella McGee, James Noonan, Delila Noonan, Elizabeth Noonan, Samuel Wiley, Joseph D. Vaughn, Hannah Ann Vaughn, Polina C. Arnold.

Several slaves were admitted to the membership also. 

A told from memory by Mr. Carl Nevens, one of the brothers that bought the old church building in 1920 He was also an active member in the church at one time. 
The original church building sat on the R.R. Simpson 10 acres in Section 32, Twp 54, range 9. But there being no public road leading to the church the members had to pass across farms in order to reach the church. Later a controversy arose about the members trespassing, especially the farm of Mr. Geo. B. Uline. He therefore granted the congregation a church lot so that the build- might (sic) on the public road. In 1884 the building was torn down and removed to this lot on Mr. Uline’s farm, about 1 ½ miles South West from the old site. 

Rev T. W. Baker was their last minister. He had preached for them for about 30 years. 

Someone remembered that last services at Bluff Springs must have been in April 1907. Mrs. Lenora Nevins said the old building was bought by the Nevins Brothers and used to build a new house on the old Nevins place. Robert Sproul reported that his father, J. T. Sproul  was one of the last members of the church.

The land on which the church stood must have been turned back to the Ulines as it is now in the Uline farm or Warren farm.

The pulpit Bible of Bluff Springs Church has on the fly leaf:

Bluff Springs Bible

Rev. T. W. Baker

Jan 27, 1885

The following is in the section for marriages:

T. W. Baker was married to the Bluff Spring Church as its pastor in March 1872 and was divorced in Sept. 1906.

Someone remembered that the last services at Bluff Springs must have been in April 1907. Mrs. Lenora Nevins said the old building was bought by the Nevin Brothers and used to build a new house on the old Nevins place. Robert Sproul reported that his father, J. T. Sproul was one of the last members of the church.

The land oh which the church stood must have been turned back to the Ulines as it is now in the Uline farm or Warren farm.

The pulpit Bible of Bluff Springs Church has on the fly leaf

Bluff Springs Bible

Rev. T. W. Baker

Jan. 27, 1885

 

The following is in the section for marriages:

 T. W. baker was married to the Bluff Spring Church as its pastor in March 1872 and was divorced in September 1906