As far back as the 1830's, the clear cool spring water attracted travelers to the site of what is now Cold Springs United Methodist Church. The road at that time was known as Fayetteville Road. People of the area followed it to Fayetteville for supplies. After the railroad came through Concord and Salisbury, people from the western part of Stanly County used the old Fayetteville Road to go the Concord for supplies. Some stopped at "Cold Springs Campground" spent the night, went to Concord the next day, returned to the grounds, spent the night again, and returned home the third day.

In 1861, there was a camp meeting arbor to which great congregations came in wagons in August to live in tents or crude one room huts for one or two weeks to seek food for their souls. This was the beginning as a place of worship. These God seeking people were called to worship by the blast of a hunter's horn, or bugle.

The first actual church building was a wooden structure built in 1868. This was followed by a brick building erected in 1910 - 1912. The educational building on the East side was build in 1938; the West side building, in 1951. The parsonage was built in 1954. Rev. E.A. Lamb and his family were the first to live in the parsonage.

The fellowship hall was built in 1958.

Ground breaking for the present church was June 3, 1990, and the first service was June 23, 1991. Cost of the new building was approximately $938,000.00, and it was paid for in four years!

The first Cold Springs Barbecue was held in 1954 and continues to be an annual event the fourth Saturday in October.

In the History room, located to the right as you enter the sanctuary, you will find pictures of all these structures as well as more detailed histories. Also there are albums containing pictures of former ministers. There is a homecoming bulletin from 1931 and one from 1935. Bulletins collected over the years are filed in the cabinet.