Our History
SERVING THE LORD IN LEWIS COUNTY SINCE 1834
The Dover Baptist Church is one of the pioneer churches of Lewis County, located approximately six miles south-west of La Grange, Missouri. It was organized in 1834 by the Rev. James Lillard, a pioneer preacher who organized a score of churches and baptized hundreds of converts. Austin Morris, one of the charter members, who settled on the land in 1832, donated ten acres to be used for the church, cemetery, and school purposes. Mr. Morris died soon after giving the deed in 1837 and was the first person buried in Dover Cemetery.
One source records the first church building of log construction was destroyed by fire. A brick building (pictured above) was constructed in its place in 1848. This brick building was razed in 1949 and the current church building was erected.
"Dover Day" has been celebrated annually on the second Sunday in May at the church and cemetery since 1898. It was designated as a "homecoming day" for Dover residents to join together for a day of worship to the Lord, and to pay respect to all of the loved ones that are buried in the Dover Cemetery. After morning service was concluded, church members and visitors would fellowship over lunch. A business meeting for the cemetery would be held in the afternoon followed by a special Mother's Day program. A collection was always taken up to pay for the upkeep of the cemetery for the year. It is recorded that in 1932, 450 people attended the Dover Day celebrations! Mary Vaughn was a prime mover in making Dover Cemetery Day known all over Northeast Missouri. She passed away in 1939 and is buried in the cemetery.
The Dover School was located behind the church building. The school closed by 1950.
