Historic Peoria Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Built 1892
(on the Hill County Cell Block Museum property, and open for viewing
Saturdays April through October from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.)
The Cumberland Presbyterian congregation at Peoria was organized in the mid-1850s, making it one of the earliest churches established in Hill County. Its organizing pastor was Rev. John S. Patton, who also operated Patton’s Mill on Aquilla Creek.
During the Civil War era, the congregation erected a brick church near the northeast intersection of what is now State Highway 22 and HCR 1320. That building served the congregation until 1892, when the present church was constructed on the same Peoria site. (continued information below)
The 1892 church was constructed of cypress and originally consisted of one large sanctuary with a simple, largely unornamented interior. Much of its historic character survives today. The slat pews and pulpit are original to the building. The pulpit chairs came from the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Jessie/Chatt and date to 1884. The original kerosene light fixtures were later converted to electricity, and the longleaf-pine floors are also original.
Peoria was once one of Hill County’s important rural communities, and the church served generations of families there. As rural population declined during the twentieth century, church membership also fell.
After the Peoria congregation dissolved in 1989, the Cumberland Presbyterian Presbytery donated the historic church building to the Hill County Museum so that it could be preserved. The church was moved from Peoria to the museum grounds in downtown Hillsboro, where it now stands behind the historic 1893 Hill County Jail, on land that once served as the vegetable garden for the sheriff’s family and jail inmates.
Its relocation allowed the 1892 structure, original furnishings, and connection to early Hill County religious life to be preserved and interpreted for future generations.
In 2026, the Historic Peoria Cumberland Presbyterian Church is among our major preservation projects, addressing deteriorated siding, moisture damage, and other age-related building needs. The work includes custom-milled replacement siding, stabilization, roofing, painting, and related repairs designed not only to preserve the building’s historic character, but also to ensure its continued viability as a place that can be toured, appreciated, used for museum and board activities, and made available for select public events and rentals.
Texas Historical Marker Record — Peoria Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Marker No. 3986
The 1963 marker was originally attached to the church as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, but in 1993 the Texas Historical Commission rescinded the RTHL designation after the church was moved to the museum grounds.
Rental Information for the Cumberland Church, Gazebo, and Museum Grounds:
The following guidelines broadly outline how church may be rented for approved events.
Event Rental Fees for Members $150 ~ Non-members $200 (not to exceed 10 pm)
Hill County Historical Groups or Non Profits ~ $50.00 for two hour event rentals
Please include in your event budget a cleaning fee of $200.00 deposit, which covers holding your reservation, and a $100.00 deposit, which will be returned post event if the property is left in clean and undamaged condition.
Please contact the museum at 713-837-8219 to request consideration of your event rental. Keys will be provided with coordination in advance.
Facility Use Rules and Regulations
The furniture and furnishings of the church may not be rearranged.
You agree to clean the premises and remove all decorations and trash from the property after the event.
You agree to ensure that all lights, fans, and HVAC systems are turned off after your event.
Open flames, candles, catering fuel, or any similar items that create a fire risk are not permitted.
After the event, all windows must be closed, shades lowered, and doors securely locked.
Children and minors must be accompanied by a legally responsible adult at all times and may not operate appliances or play with toys or items, including wheeled vehicles or balls, that could damage the property.
No adhesive materials, tape, push pins, tacks, or similar items may be attached to the walls, floors, or ceiling.
Furnishings, equipment, and other items belonging to the building may not be borrowed or removed.
Smoking is not permitted in the building, gazebo, or anywhere on the grounds.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the property unless approved in advance.
Events must conclude no later than 10:00 p.m.
The person signing the reservation agreement will be considered the responsible party for ensuring compliance with these event guidelines and will be held responsible for any damages that occur.
Any decision to refuse a rental shall be made by the volunteer museum board. No rental decision will be based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.
Please call 713-837-8219 if you have questions about the Cumberland Church, the Cell Block Museum,
or other matters concerning the property, tours, or rental information.
Pages on this website:
Link to Submit Historical Photos and Documents
Other Information and Resources:
The Early Settlers Life in Texas full book from the UNT Library
Hill County in the Portal of Texas History
Hill County Historical Markers and War Memorials
Hill County in the Texas Almanac
Hillsboro City Library Genealogy Resources
Hill County Information from Genealogy Trails
Hill County Genealogy Project TxGenWeb