Even the hot weather didn’t stop 21 people from celebrating the 189th anniversary of Mount Horeb Baptist Church on Aug. 6.

The historic church had its annual homecoming, where the attendees had a potluck dinner and an ice cream social and enjoyed music that was played by 4 The Gospel Quartet, a southern group from the Church of the Shepherd of St. Charles.

“We’re grateful for the people who showed up,” said Sandy Bothe, who serves as the unofficial historical research chair of the Mount Horeb Historical Society. “Almost everyone has roots in Montgomery and Callaway counties and roots in the old church.”

The church is located 16 miles southwest of Montgomery City and sits on the corner of Mount Horeb Church and Prairie Fork roads. It was built in 1897 and was designated as an historic site in 1980.

“We have worked very hard to keep it as historically accurate as possible,” Bothe said. “The church itself ceased being a Baptist church or church for anyone in the 1960s because there were so few people living in the area and the land usage had changed.”

Mount Horeb Baptist Church was founded in 1833 by Samuel Boone, the nephew of Daniel Boone. The very first church house was built in Callaway County and was known as the Kettle Cabin. It first had 12 members, then it grew to 107. By 1859, a new and bigger church house was built at another location and had 225 members. But later, weather issues ruined the building, and another church house was built on the current site for less than $1,000.

The church also can be used for funerals and weddings.

“We had quite a few funerals here,” Bothe said. “We had quite a few weddings here. In fact, my husband and I were married 49 years ago. We had to clean up the church house. Mom and dad spent more money on the wallpaper than they did on the wedding. I made my dress and I made the bridesmaids’ dresses. Somebody donated a cake.”

Bothe grew up east of the church.

“We became the only children attending church,” Bothe said. “Mom and dad decided that we needed to go to church with other children. So we went to Mineola Baptist Church. Mom and dad moved their membership there. When I was probably 12 years old, that’s where I joined.”

Bothe said the church started having potluck dinners long before it became a historic site.

“The first evidence that I saw of a pot luck dinner was for their 80th anniversary of the church house,” Bothe said. “They were known for carrying dinners. They would have preaching services only once a month. So in the fair weather months, they would have a busy meeting like on a Saturday. On Sunday morning, they would have service again.”

The Mount Horeb Historical Society includes board members Dan Bothe, Matt Harris and Larry Hall. During the homecoming event, the organization held an election for a new secretary/treasurer. Caleb Davis was elected for the position.

“It’s a small group,” Sandy Bothe said. “Mount Horeb always had just a few people who loved her and kept her going. We want to grow that. We want more people to love her and keep her going.”