History of the Bee Ridge UMC

Tradition tells us that many years ago vast herds of buffalo made a winding trail following a ridge from the Mississippi River near Palmyra, Missouri to Edina, Missouri. Later on a wagon trail was established along the same route. During the Civil War, it was called "The Cannon Ball Trail." Today the same road is graveled or blacktopped and is known as County Road T or Bee Ridge Road. At one of these curves in the road, about nine miles southwest of Knox City, Missouri is the Bee Ridge United Methodist Church and Cemetary. The order of service was as much as it is today, except the congregation knelt for prayer. Many of the hymns they sang are as precious today as they were then. There was no musical instrument. Members of the congregation led the singing. There were few songbooks. The leader would read lines before they were sung. The first musical instrument at Bee Ridge UMC was a pedal organ. This was replaced by a piano in 1913.