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Ludlow's
First Baptist Church began in 1849, when the Baptist residents of the
town held a meeting to organize the congregation. A lot on the eastside
of Carneal Street (north of Elm) was donated by William Hay. On this site,
a small frame church was constructed at the cost of $500.00 (this building
still stands as a private residence). The cost of construction was financed
with a generous gift from C.W. Scott.
In 1890, the congregation purchased a lot at the northwest corner of Linden
and Kenner Streets. On this property, a new Romanesque Revival Church
was constructed. The building was dedicated on October 25, 1891.
Difficulties in the congregation arose in 1912. The church was divided
over the effectiveness of the pastor, William J. Holtzclaw. In June 1912,
a group of discontented members met at the home of Lulu Ritchie and decided
to establish a second Baptist congregation in Ludlow. Plans called for
services to be held in the Wilma Theater. Peace, however, was restored
within the Baptist community before the second congregation could be firmly
established.
Post World War I population growth in Ludlow added many more members to
First Baptist. In 1920 the congregation purchased a parsonage from Fannie
Moffett for $5,500.00. A thorough remodeling of the church building began
in 1927. Also at this time, a new two-story Sunday school building was
constructed as an addition to the rear of the church. The $27,000.00 addition
was dedicated on April 1, 1928.
Continued growth in the size of the congregation resulted in the construction
of a new church. In 1952 and 1955, property located to the west of the
original building was acquired. On this site construction began on a new
church. The basement of this building was used for church services from
1958 to 1964. In January 1964, the 30' steeple of the new structure was
set into place. The main auditorium was dedicated on March 29, 1964 and
has been used for church services ever since. Architect Don Cox of the
firm Elliston, Hall, McAllister & Stockwell designed the building.
At this time, the First Baptist congregation boasted a membership of 900,
with an average Sunday school attendance of 450.
The
need for more modern classrooms led to the construction of a new building
in the 1980s. The new structure, on the west side of the church, contained
classrooms and a multipurpose gymnasium/hall. The building was dedicated
on May 22, 1988.
The most recent improvement made by the congregation was the construction
of a parking lot on the south side of Linden Street. The congregation
in 1995 and 1997 purchased two double frame homes. These buildings were
demolished and the property was paved and landscaped.
Kentucky Post, June 6, 1912, p. 3, February 19, 1920, p. 1,December
6, 1999, p. 4k; Kentucky Times-Star, November 29, 1927, p. 3, March 24,
1928, p. 3; Ludlow-Bromley Ledger, June 1988, p. 10; News Enterprise,
January 16, 1964, p.1 and March 26, 1964, p. 1.
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