Cedar Springs United Baptist Gets First Steeple in Nearly 200 Years: Photos & Video

A steeple is lowered onto the top of Cedar Springs United Baptist Church, January 27, 2021.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
It took 192 years and three different buildings, but one local church had their first steeple installed today as church and community members watched with thankful hearts.

Cedar Springs United Baptist Church, which was founded in 1829, had a steeple installed on top of their church house earlier today, which was custom built and completed by Campbellsville Industries. Western Crane Services provided the lifting power for the installation.

A crane lifts the steeple from a trailer at Cedar Springs United Baptist Church.

Their current building, located on HWY 259 (Brownsville Road), was built in 1966 and underwent renovations inside about five years ago. A few of the church members felt that it was time to install a steeple on the building and the church voted in favor of the addition.

Harlin Tarter, church deacon and member of 60 years, said it was something he had always hoped to see.

"I believe this is a great day for our church," Tarter said. "I think a steeple makes it look like a house of God. It just makes it look like a place where the Lord wants to be, and I hope He is for the rest of our lives."

Several church members were there today as they took photos, shared stories and memories of the church and community, and fellowshipped with coffee and snacks.

L-R: Matt Antle and Tim Milby of Campbellsville Industries prepare the steeple for installation on Cedar Springs United Baptist Church.

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Tim Milby of Campbellsville Industries helps guide the steeple onto the top of Cedar Springs United Baptist Church.

Slideshow photos provided by Billie Joe Honeycutt.

Tarter also donated a bell that was installed by the workers. He said he'd acquired it from another community member years ago and thought it would be a good fit inside the steeple, which will be fully functioning.

Tarter said extra bracing was installed in the attic space of the church to accommodate the frame of the steeple. Tarter is known for his own building career, where he's a host of commercial buildings and served as general contractor in the construction of at least one other local church.

"The church was very well built to start with. Brother Cecil Minton built it and everything I've ever seen about it was well built. We just had to add some bracing because of the way they mounted the steeple," he said.

Tarter and other church members also discussed how thankful they were for the support of the community. Donations were made from local businesses, other churches, and individuals to help the church make the project possible.