Some wineries take an extra step forward to help preserve history. Cedar Lake Winery and Event Venue in Wright City, Missouri is one of those special wineries. Recently in the news, Cedar Lake Winery has offered its location for the moving of a small Presbyterian church, Rock Hill Church.

Rock Hill Church is a stone church built in 1845 as an integrated church. The church was in use until 2005 and became vacant in 2010. In 2011, the property was sold and immediate plans are to demolish it or move it. In its place a gas station will be built.

Historical Significance

John Marshall, an abolitionist, contributed land for the church. The stones for the church were cut from his rock quarry. John Marshall owned slaves. Blacks wanted to be a part of the church and were allowed on Sundays to build the roof.

The cemetery near the church allowed white and black members of the church to be buried next to each other. All of the deceased were moved to another cemetery in the late 1800’s. The City of Rock Hill was named after the Rock Hill Church. According to the Save the Rock Hill Church organization, “One cannot separate the history of the Rock Hill Church from the City of Rock Hill for the city was named after the church and is the only city named for a Presbyterian Church in the entire United States.”

Cedar Lake Winery and Event Venue has offered to have the church moved to their location. For more information read the article, “Off On Table to Move Rock Hill Church to Winery.”

Estimates for moving the church run into hundreds of thousands of dollars. Brinkman Construction has offered to move the church without charging.

Cedar Lake Winery and Event Venue is located about an hour west of St. Louis, Missouri. For those who are on Route 70 which extends from Maryland to Utah, the winery is located about five miles off Rt. 70.

What wineries do you know that have helped to preserve history?

Cheers! Kathy