History of Christ Church

Prior to 1840 there was no Episcopal community in Elizabethtown. In that year, The Rt. Reverend Benjamin Bosworth Smith, first Bishop of Kentucky (later Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in 1868), visited Elizabethtown and stayed at the home of the Honorable A.H. Churchill, a prominent local judge. Bishop Smith confirmed Judge Churchill, his wife and several of their children.


Over the decade from 1840 to 1850, Elizabethtown Episcopalians met on an irregular basis in homes and borrowed church facilities. In 1850, efforts were taken to acquire land and build our current church building. Bishop Smith personally drew the plans and Judge Churchill purchased the land and provided the materials for construction of our present Church. The cost: $1390.00.


The present church building was consecrated on Wednesday, April 2, 1851, eighteen days before Easter. Bishop Smith preached the consecration sermon, assisted by the Reverend James Craik, Rector of Christ Church, Louisville.


The Reverend Mr. Maybin became the Rector in 1855. He remained until 1857. In mid-1858, The Reverend J.C. Tennent became Rector and remained until he left for duty in the Civil War. During the war, services were held on a periodic basis by visiting clergy.


Mr. Tennent returned to the Parish in 1866 and remained until he accepted a call to Seaford and Laurel, Delaware in December, 1869. During Mr. Tennent's tenure, the original benches were cut up and made into the pews that are still in use today.


Our first organ was purchased in 1867. A bell was also acquired the same year, however, the bell tower was not completed until the winter of 1877-78. The tower construction cost was about $450.00.


Following Judge Churchill's death in 1880, the Parish began to decline. By 1920, there were only eleven communicants, all women. By 1932, their number had declined to six.


A revitalization of the Parish began around 1950. Marriott Hall was added in 1954. Remodeled and enlarged in 1993-1994, the hall provides program space for parish activities and Christian Education.


After 137 years as a dependent mission of the Diocese of Kentucky, Christ Church reached parish status in 1988.

 


This article was originally researched and contributed by James Higdon