1882 Old Stone Church set in the heart of the Flint Hills
History meets nature in this scenic region near Maple Hill, Kansas.
What is today called the Old Stone Church dates to 1875, a time when the remote farming community of Maple Hill, Kan., was coming to life. In 1882, Eliot Congregational Church was built by settlers from Newton, Mass. The house of worship was named after their home church back East. That congregation donated a pulpit and altar Bible to their distant Kansas brethren. Although the limestone structure stood firmly for more than a century, a 1991 tornado severely damaged it. Fortunately, it took on a second life when restoration preserved it for us today. In recent years, the structure has ceased to house an active congregation but is still used for special events, including activities on the Sunday preceding Memorial Day.
The Maple Hill area is one of the most scenic in the Flint Hills. The Old Stone Church provides views of the Mill Creek valley and hills rolling into eternity. A historic cemetery surrounding the church may also be of interest.
Other area attractions
