Cave-in-Rock Christian Church
The Cave-in-Rock Christian Church was organized around 1872. The church site, located near the center of the village, was donated by John Mitchell November 1, 1871. Philemon Frayser and two of his sons, Philemon C. and Napoleon Alexander, did most of the construction work. The lumber used in the building was cut from trees which grew on Philemon Frayser's land known as "Cedar Point" just above Cave-in-Rock, and adjacent to the Cave-in-Rock State Park. The area now encompasses what is known as "Fish City". The logs were rolled off the bluff into the Ohio River and brought to Bauer's Sawmill located on a boat where the ferry landing is now. Alex Gentry donated the lumber used in the construction of the first pews.
Philemon Frayser was the first Minister of the Church. There was a period of inactivity when two Presbyterian Ministers, Rev.'s Potter and Reed held services in the Church once a month, but in the spring of 1891 new interest in the Church was revived by a meeting held by Bro. George Davis. About twenty-five people were baptized in the Ohio River. On April 1, 1891, the Christian Church was reorganized with R. H. Hill, A. E. Green, and J. W. Riley - Elders; R. C. Frayser, R. V. Frayser - Deacons; M. L. Shelby, J. A. Ledbetter, Jr., and Joseph Armstrong - Trustees; J. W. Riley - Clerk and Treasurer.
The Church added its 100th member in 1895 during the pastorship of Bro. R. P. McKindley. Besides the families already mentioned, the membership included the families of Riggs, Keeling, Devers, Boyd, and Bascom. Bro. Rowe was Minister from 1900-1906. Elders at that time were Edward Frayser , Marsh Pritchard, and Harry Frayser. The next Pastor was Bro. J. M. Pace of Paducah, Kentucky. In 1911 Bro. Otis Dimick became Minister and remained through 1920. Church Officers were: Jett Riggs, Ray Keeling, and Harry Frayser - Elders and Trustees; Richard Frayser and John Riggs - Deacons; and Colbert Cole - Clerk. |
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From 1921-1925, there were no men in the Church, so the women held Sunday School and Communion. Bro. J. W. Flynn was Pastor during 1925-1933. Bro. Platt was Minister during 1934-1939, and Bro. J. W. Flynn returned in 1940-1941. Bro. J. R. Keeling became Pastor in 1942, serving part-time at Cave-in-Rock and Rosiclare. Other Ministers during the late 1940's and early 1950's were Bro.'s William Newby and Escol Robinson. Church Officers were: Ray Keeling and Leonard Brewster - Elders; Ted Frayser, Nick Riggs, Charles Kaegi , and Carl Frayser - Deacons; Stella Kaegi - Financial Secretary.
During 1949 a basement was dug to provide extra room. The Church auditorium was remodeled, and new pews purchased in 1953. During the mid 1950's, classrooms, bapistry, stained glass windows, church steeple, and a kitchen in the basement was added. A Dedication Service was held April 29, 1957. Church Officers were: Carl Frayser, James Jennings, Bruce Mason, and Ray Keeling - Elders; Loren Frayser, Ewell Hall, Charles Kaegi, Willie Kaegi, and Waldo Rose - Deacons; Kenneth Garland, Rad Barnard, and Adiel Douglas - Trustees; Stella Kaegi - Treasurer; Marian Garland -Clerk. Pastors during the 1950's were: Bob Steedman 1954-1955, Robert Sharp 1956, Gene Reynolds 1956, Garland Bland 1957, and John Bush 1958-1960. |
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In 1967 a new brick additon was added providing five additional classrooms, recreational area, two restrooms, Pastors study, library, and secretarial office. The basement was also remodeled, and central air conditioning installed. Dedication services were held October 1, 1967. At this time the church had 160 members and the Church Officers were: Carl Frayser, Ewell Hall, Bill Barnard, and Bruce Mason - Elders; Willie Kaegi, Charles Kaegi, Loren Frayser, Arthur Austin, Jr., James Frailey, and Waldo Rose - Deacons; Rad Barnard, Lloyd Tyer, and Dean Hughes - Trustees; Laura Z. Barnard - Clerk; Stella Kaegi - Treasurer. During the 1960's the Ministers were: Jerry Holden 1960-1962, Garland Bland 1962-1964, Daryl Bishop 1965-1965, Harvel Ayers 1966-1967, and Garland Bland 1968-1969.
Since 1969 the Ministers have been: Kenneth Amick 1969-1972, Steve Westman 1972-1974, Steve Collins 1974-1976, Marvin Barnes 1976-1978, Larry Sprinkle 1978-1981, Mike Whittaker 1981-1982, Tim Carlson 1983-1985, Howard Scott 1986-1997, Allen Sipe 1997, Eric Moore 1998-2000; Jeff Kennedy 2000-2002; Glen Milner 2002-2004, Daniel Brands, 2004-2007. The current minister is Jeff Bullock. |
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For many years the Church had an excellent choir under the leadership of Adiel "Daddy" Douglas. This continued until Daddy's health prevented him from directing the
choir. Mrs. Helen Switzer
was the Pre-School Sunday School Teacher starting in the 1950's until ill health
in the late 1990's. There are many interesting photographs in the
pre-school room to show her many years of dedication. During the 1970's, the Gleaners Class started having weekly Quilting Bees at the Church, and purchased many items for the Church with their endeavors. The ladies who originally started quilting were: Irene "Tootie" Kaegi, Opal Frailey, Dora Douglas, Laura Z. Barnard, Orbra Callahan, Ruth Vaughn, Shirley Logan, Marge Riggs, and Connie Douglas.
Memorials that have been donated in memory of loved ones are: Organ, Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Green; Piano, Gentry and Myra Barnard; Hymnals, Stella Kaegi; Communion table, Bro. J. R. Keeling; Candlesticks and Cross, Carl and Georgia Frayser; Men's classroom, Charles Ernest "Charley" Kaegi; Clock in men's classroom, Quentin Douglas; Clock in Gleaners classroom, Newt and Phoebe Edmondson; Lighted biblical picture, Van Douglas; Lighted biblical picture in Gleaners classroom, Mary Boyd; New carpeting , Rad & Laura Z. . Barnard; New pew covers, memorials to Dora Douglas.
by Mary Nelle (Kaegi) Douglas from notes made by her Grandmother, Stella (Frayser) Kaegi
mndouglas@consolidated.net