Cool Spring Baptist Church began as a dream in the hearts of Captain D.A. and Mary Winn Timberlake when they started a Bible study in their home in 1867 at "Cedar Lawn". Captain Timberlake and his wife, both earnest Christians, had as their foremost thought to build a church after the first few meetings in their home, as the group grew larger and larger. An abandoned log school house across Atlee Station Road and near the railroad was then used, about one mile north of the present church. They met here from 1867 to 1874, three years as branch of Walnut Grove and four years as an independent church. It was constituted on April 27, 1870, and admitted into the Dover Association on July 19, 1870, with a membership of 42.

On December 8, 1872, one acre of land at the present church location was purchased for $15.50, a frame church was built, and the congregation moved into it in 1874. Additional land was purchased in 1890, 1908, 1972, 1976, 1984, 1995, and 1998 bringing the total land to 14.5 acres.

The church took its name from a beautiful cool spring located near the log school house, and there was a nearby mill pond that was used for several years to baptize its members.

Additions to the first church included a vestibule, a steeple, the hanging of the church bell in 1892, an inside baptismal pool in 1894, and three new classrooms in 1902. A parsonage was built in 1908.

Among the more interesting events in Cool Spring's history occurred on Sunday, May 14 1905 when lightening struck the church steeple during worship services. As reported on the front page of the Richmond Time-Dispatch, the preacher's message had been "Christ Will Guide You Through the Storm's of Life" and the congregation was singing "Jesus Savior Pilot Me." Miraculously, there were no serious injuries.

In 1951 the new Educational Building was dedicated, in 1954 the new parsonage was completed, and in 1957 the old parsonage removed. Work began on the sanctuary and on June 13, 1959, it was dedicated. In 1971 it was decided to used the "Bond Plan" to build a new Children's Building and within three weeks the contract for its construction was awarded. It was dedicated April 23,1972.



In 1992 the church approved a recommendation of the Long Range Planning Committee that the New Construction Committee recommend a time-table for construction of a new building. On November 18, 1993 the contract for a 16,300 square foot Fellowship Hall and Sunday School Building was let, and on April 3, 1995, this building was dedicated. On the same day the church's 125th anniversary was observed. The parsonage that was in the way of the new building was sold and moved to private property about 6/10 miles north.


In 1999, the construction of a new Rec Center and additional educational space was recommended, with groundbreaking for this building occurring in the Summer of 2000.  The Rec Center and New Fellowship Hall were completed in 2002.  Due to the need for increased capacity, the Rec Center gymnasium has served as a new Worship Center for the 8:30 and 10:00 Sunday services.


In 2007 a new 29,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Children’s Building, was planned just behind the current building.  In conjunction with this exciting new project, our existing facilities were to be renovated into a new Student and College Age area beneath the Fellowship Hall.  Additionally, it was planned to pay off our existing building debt in full.  Due to the economic downturn, the new Children's Building project has been put on hold, with the emphasis being on continued debt reduction.  However, the Middle School and High School renovations were completed in late 2008, and the Student Ministry Open House was held in January 2009.

In 140 years the membership of Cool Spring Baptist Church has grown from 42 to over 2200 members. In spite of this growth, the mission of the church has not changed: to help this world come to know Jesus Christ as Savior, and to become His wholly committed followers.