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The Bee Ridge Christian (Congregational) Church was the eventual result of settlers and/or clergy attending the Cane Ridge Revival held in Cane Ridge, Kentucky in August, 1801. This revival has been described as the largest and most famous camp meeting of the Second Great Awakening and was arguably the pioneering event in the history of frontier camp meetings in America.
The attendees returned or later settled in Clay County, Indiana on a forested ridge named by the settlers for numerous “bee trees” nearby. During the period 1828-1838 many families settled in the area and the people realized the need for spiritual guidance and regular worship meetings. The first services were conducted in homes and in 1837 a log church was constructed on ground donated by a church Elder. Land adjoining the church property to the south was cleared for a cemetery also in 1837. Regular services were held once a month and other services were held by local ministers. The first baptisms by immersion were conducted at nearby Otter Creek in December 1833. The group sang “If Your Hearts Be Warm, Ice and Snow can Do No Harm” which was a Congregationalist hymn of the period. The church was also used as a school until a public school building was constructed.