BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
There are still two opportunities before Christmas to visit and tour the old Vine Hill Presbyterian Church in western Autauga County. The church is being saved and renovated by the Old Autauga Historical Society (OAHS). The church has been decorated for the Christmas season thanks to the help of numerous volunteers.
The last two remaining dates for the open house event are:
Tuesday, Dec. 14 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 19 – Noon to 4 p.m.
The church is located in western Autauga County near Jones and was built in 1887. Services at the church ended around 1990 and the building lay dormant for many years. It is now under the loving care of OAHS, as members and volunteers work to preserve the building and the history. Major renovations have already taken place and continue. Work has also been done to clean and upkeep the cemetery with graves back to the 1800s of former church members.
For December, Vine Hill is decorated with a live tree and other old Christmas decorations and memorabilia. The public is invited to come see this beautiful old church in the wildwood during the Christmas season.
Directions to Vine Hill Presbyterian Church. The gate is normally secured, but will be open for tours during the times stated above Dec. 14 and Dec. 19.
From Prattville, take US Hwy 82 to Billingsley. Turn LEFT on County Rd 1, which is just passed Dollar General. Go south on CR1 until you come to County Rd 16. Turn RIGHT on CR16. Go to Jones. Just before you get to Jones Baptist Church, turn RIGHT on County Rd 103. Go about a mile and then turn RIGHT on County Rd 22. Go up the hill. You will see the church sign and drive to the LEFT. Gate will be open. Church is located down a private drive.
From Autaugaville, take AL Hwy 14 west towards Dallas County. Right RIGHT on County Road 1 North. Go through Milton and then turn LEFT on County Rd 16. Go to Jones. Just before you get to Jones Baptist Church, turn RIGHT on County Rd 103. Go about a mile and then turn RIGHT on County Rd 22. Go up the hill. You will see the church sign and drive to the LEFT. Gate will be open. Church is located down a private drive.
Additional time slots during the week may be available for special visits or groups. Email for further dates, information and directions to church – larrycaverjr@yahoo.com
The ladies of OAHS held a decoration party Tuesday, Nov. 30th. Thanks to donations, or items on loan, the church has a very special, old-time feel. Take a step back in time to Christmases of yesteryear.
OAHS is always looking for new membership! Dues are just $10 a year. Email Larry Caver, listed above, for more information.
For a video of Vine Hill Presbyterian prior to many of the renovations, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIz1cMRKg5I
More about Vine Hill Presbyterian Church and OAHS
Some happy surprises have happened along the way of renovations, as well as some of the original components of the church being discovered, and/or returned. An original Preacher’s Chair was restored by Beth DeBusk. An old piano was donated for the church by Joan Smith.
On the church grounds over a year ago, grapes were found growing in an old oak tree. It is believed these are related to the vineyards once planted by the Urmi or Lapsley families. The hope is to unwind the vines from the tree and get them started on a grape arbor.
On Feb. 25, 2020 OAHS and the two remaining board members of the Vine Hill Cemetery Association signed an agreement of understanding. The cemetery board granted OAHS permission to preserve and protect Vine Hill Presbyterian Church with the understanding that if and when the cemetery association is dissolved, OAHS would have first option of ownership at the property.
“We plan to make two permanent displays inside the church,” Caver said. “One will have photos and history of former church ministers. The other will have photos and history of the early church members.”
OAHS was formed in mid-2019, and was a spinoff of the Autauga County Bicentennial Fair held in 2018. Some of the volunteers and patrons who helped felt there was a growing need to address historical issues for the entire county equitably.
According to Caver, some felt that most efforts were focused on Prattville and that there are historical structures, places and people in old Autauga County who were also noteworthy.
“We were concerned that many structures not in Prattville were being forgotten, and would slowly disappear to neglect,” Caver said. “So many people had expressed worries that Vine Hill might fall in or have to be torn down in the future for safety issues.”
In essence, Caver said he appreciates the efforts of any individual or group that has preserved and will preserve history be it in Prattville or the entire county. With so many historic buildings in danger throughout the county, everyone’s efforts are to be applauded.
The Old Autauga Historical Society (OAHS) has a Facebook page for members only. The volume of photos and stories on the page alone is worth the $10 membership fee.
The group meets quarterly throughout the county. It also publishes a historical quarterly (PDF) every January, April, July and October, which is distributed to members by email. The group works to preserve local historical structures in dire need of preservation.
The Old Autauga Historical Society received some great news recently.
President Larry Caver shared information that checks have been received from the Alabama Historical Commission to help fund two projects.
The organization received $2,840 for the Vine Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery and $11,384 for the Mulberry Colored Public School renovation.
With the funds in hand, plans are being put together on how best to proceed with both renovation projects of these historic structures.
Caver said OAHS will also soon be ordering the historic marker for Vine Hill and the first order of materials for the Mulberry School.
“OAHS greatly thanks AHC, and the public at large, for entrusting us with these funds. We be the best stewards possible with these funds,” President Caver said.
