Big Black Creek Historical Association

The Big Black Creek Historical Association has many current and planned projects but the most critical is the restoration of The old Denmark Presbyterian Church.The building is listed on The National Register of Historic Places and Tennessee Trail, the building is planned to be a museum after repairs are complete.

The structure was  built in 1854 by the Snipes brothers and their slaves and originally housed Masonic Lodge # 154 on the second floor, many of the Mason's signatures and dates are still visible on the lodge's wall and door

Denmark Church, West wall starting to lean outward.

Note the massive timbers used by the Snipes brothers and their slaves in 1854. This picture shows the wood above the Masonic Lodge.

Denmark Presbyterian Church interior, note damage to the West wall.

Hiding under a young ladies skirt was very ingenious and risque.

The pews in The Denmark Church had boards covering the bottom rear of the pews to avoid exposing a ladies ankles.

Masonic Lodge # 154 signatures from members in the 1800's, there are many on the wall and door leading into the lodge. 

Floor damage in the Masonic Lodge caused by the West wall of the building falling off of it's supports.

 This 20' deep pit was built as the church was built. The 20' ladder is one piece and could not have been added after the building's roof was constructed. The only access is from the 2nd. floor Masonic Lodge. The pit was part of a Masonic rite. 

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen presenting a grant check to Bill King, President of The Big Black Creek Historical Association,on June 26, 2008 for building repairs.

Repairs to the West wall began in September 2008.

David Smith, historic building restoration contractor, and his crew in the process of replacing the old weather damaged wall seal.

Tennessee Trails historic marker in front of the Denmark church.

The building has been stabilized and repairs will be completed when the balance of the grant money is released.

This picture of The Denmark Presbyterian Church was taken June 14, 2009. 

The bell in front of the church was made from items collected by the church members.