Replica of the Bluff Meetinghouse

Replica of the Bluff Meetinghouse. . Sketched by Remington Lange 1893 , Bluff's log meetinghouse was the center of all public gatherings for the small community on the remote San Juan frontier. The meetinghouse, which was part of the north wall of the Bluff Fort, served as chapel, courthouse, ballroom, concert hall and schoolhouse. It was a place where pioneers were entertained with dances, dramatizations and musical performances. It was also a place of worship and learning, and on occasion, it sheltered families whose mud roofs failed to keep the rain out or whose cabins were flooded by the river. The meetinghouse was built in the latter part of 1880. "It offered a handy place for friends to meet, and for strolling lovers to rest in the evening. …not just a church, but simply a meetinghouse, vested with all essentials for solemn worship, but not too good nor too nice for any lawful service to the busy pioneers." On Christmas, "…children thronged the old log school house during the day, and the place became the scene of many a merry party in long winter evenings." , , Albert R. Lyman, This site is being developed and maintained by the Hole-in-the-Rock Foundation