History
In the 1880s, the west-central Virginia town of Springhill was a thriving business center.  Heavy traffic on Long Glade Road (Rt. 613) and Rt. 607 from Moscow made it ideal for businesses.  And shop owners set up shop in the Augusta County community.  Barrel, shoe, cabinet, wagon, carriage, and coffin makers set up shop next to the community tanyard, wheelwright, carpenter, tailor, blacksmith, and cooper.  Completing the community were a post office, several churches, a school, and a telephone exchange.   Springhill reached its business height immediately after the Civil War.  
 
During the 1880s, the arrival of the Odd Fellows society caused split opinions in Springhill’s Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren congregations as to the appropriateness of church members participating in the new group.  The Methodist Episcopal Church also saw declining attendance.  And a movement began to start a Presbyterian church.  

Spring Hill Presbyterian Church began as a Chapel in 1895, an outpost of nearby Augusta Stone Presbyterian Church which was organized in 1740.  Spring Hill Chapel became an independent church in 1915 at which time 105 members transferred from Augusta Stone Church.  It has been noted that the members were “tired of riding horses and traveling in buggies to Augusta Stone from Springhill.”
 
In the early 1900s, the community of Springhill took on a new look.  Many of the businesses that thrived in the late 1800s closed their doors.  By 1910, commerce shifted from area towns to the city of Staunton and modern industry forced many closings.  Only four businesses remained open in Springhill by 1920.

Yet while local industry was taking a downturn in the community, Spring Hill Presbyterian Church was adding members.  On October 22, 1916, nineteen additional members were added to the roll and it has continued to grow to the current 218.  In the early 1900s, at least three outpost Sunday School Classes were conducted on Sunday afternoons.  While people attended church in Springhill, they commuted elsewhere to earn a living.  The church became the focal point of the community.

In 1940, six Sunday School classrooms were added on at the side of the sanctuary.  In 1953, the sanctuary was doubled in size.  Additional Sunday School rooms were added, along with the kitchen, social hall/dining room, and restrooms.  Construction of a Picnic Shelter containing a kitchen and two restrooms began in 1992 on a 20-acre parcel of land behind the church.  It was completed in 1993 at a cost of $26,138.77.  Both the shelter and church social hall are used by community groups including the Ruritans, Girl Scouts, and 4H Clubs.  Church and community families also use them for reunions and anniversary celebrations.  A cemetery was established in 1993 on land beside the shelter.     


Size & Culture
Spring Hill Church has 218 members from varied education and professional backgrounds.  The church rests in the rural town and farming community of Springhill in northern Augusta County, the second largest county in the state of Virginia, and draws members from the nearby city of Staunton and throughout the county.  The church is town-oriented and rural in its outlook.  




Directions
Spring Hill Presbyterian Church is located on Rt. 613 (Springhill Road) in Springhill (Augusta County).  The church is approximately a 15-minute drive north from
Staunton, and a 35-minute drive south from Harrisonburg.  


* From Staunton, take Springhill Road at Gypsy Hill Park.  Springhill Road veers to the left 3/10 of a mile after crossing Rt. 275.  The church is on the right in the community of Springhill.

* Also from Staunton, take I81 north to the Verona Exit.  Turn west toward Verona.  Go straight through two stoplights (crossing Rt. 11 at the second light).  After going through the second light, you will be on Rt. 612 (Quicks Mill Road).  Travel 3.3 miles on Rt.
612 until you come to a “T.”  At the stop sign, turn right onto Rt. 613.  Travel 3.7 miles to Springhill.  The church is on the right.

* From Harrisonburg, take I81 south to the Mt. Crawford Exit.  Turn west onto Rt. 257 (Dinkel Avenue) toward Bridgewater.  Go straight at the stoplight beside the Exxon gas station in Mt. Crawford (crossing Rt. 11).  Once in Bridgewater, turn left onto Main Street (Rt. 42) at the stoplight beside of Hardees.   Travel Rt. 42 out of Bridgewater for approximately seven miles.  Turn left onto Rt. 607 at the intersection 1/10 mile
past North River Elementary School.  Travel five miles to Springhill.  The church is on the left.
 




Vision Statement:
Spring Hill Presbyterian Church is a warm fellowship of people gathering to love, worship, and serve God.

Mission Statement:
Spring Hill Presbyterian Church is a community of people providing a place to gather and come into a relationship with God.  Loving one another as God loves us, we learn to forgive, accept and encourage each other.  Through our worship of God, we seek to deepen our spirituality and to discern His will.  We serve in teaching, providing example, and showing concern for others, according to God’s will.