FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY

§         June 18, 1828 the Presbyterian Church of Georgetown was organized with seven women as the first members.

§         The first church building, built in 1829, was near the corner of Main and Broadway.

§         From 1831 to 1847, the church had five stated supply pastors.

§         In 1847, Rev. Samuel J. Baird became the first installed pastor.

§         The church operated a Presbyterian School for Girls from 1857-62 known as "The Scott Female Institute."

§         Construction on the present building began in 1865, and was completed and dedicated June 16, 1870 at a cost of $16,000. Some of the original furnishings, many given by church members as memorials, are still used in the church today. These include a marble pedestal table for a baptismal font, communion linens, an old pulpit, a marble top table, and the communion table. Eleven benches continue to be used. They were restored to their natural maple finish and were dedicated to the memory of various individuals.

§         First Presbyterian and Holy Trinity Episcopal were built at the same time and are Georgetown’s two oldest church buildings.

§         In 1890, the church underwent extensive repair including the addition of electric lighting and stained glass windows.

§         The decision to build a Sunday School annex on the back of the church was made in 1917 and was completed in 1923 during the pastorate of Rev. A.M. Doak at a cost of $23,000.

§         In 1927, Rev. G. Barrett Rich, III became pastor. During his stay, the church celebrated its 100th anniversary and hosted the synod meeting.

§         In 1945, during the pastorate of Rev. Yandell Page, the Holtkamp pipe organ currently in use was given by H. Church Blackburn in memory of his parents. Ms. Lucile Bradley, church organist, dedicated the organ during a recital on June 10, 1945. The installation of the new organ required some changes in the design of the sanctuary including the relocation of the organ from the center to the pulpit side and the relocation of the choir loft to the lectern side. For many years, students from Georgetown College studied and practiced on this organ, said to be "the finest organ town."

§         In 1964, during the pastorate of Rev. D.T. Brandenburg, the church was redecorated and rededicated through a gift made possible by the legacy of Mrs. Frances Rogers Jeffress.

§         During Rev. Hogan Yancey’s pastorate, the rotation of the terms of ruling elders and deacons was begun.

§         In 1966 the telephone building adjacent to the church was purchased for $20,000 for use as an education annex.

§         In June of 1978, The Presbyterian Church, along with the East Main Street Residential District, was entered in the National Register of Historic Places.

§         In its history, leadership in the church has been by deacons and elders. Records indicate the first election of elders was in 1831. While Rev. A. S. "Shep" Crigler was pastor (1970-1975), a unicameral system of governance was adopted. The board of deacons was discontinued and the session was enlarged becoming the sole governing body of the local church. Today the session is comprised of 12 ruling elders who carry out much of the Church’s programs and business.

§         In 1975, the first woman elder, Laura Carpenter Gano, was ordained.

§         During the pastorate of Rev. Charles M. Murray (1975-1985), the education building, including the kitchen, was remodeled and new furnishings were added as the legacy of Catherine and Ben Lair.

§         In 1994, the church sponsored the resettlement of a family from Bosnia.

§         In 1995, during the Pastorate of Rev. C. Patterson Clark, Jr., major repairs to the exterior of the church were undertaken. Under Rev. Clark’s leadership, the church saw a resurgence of young families and children hired a youth minister, Roger Burns, a Lexington Theological Seminary student. Rev. Clark was also instrumental in organizing Scott United Ministries (SUM) in Scott County and the church’s annex was leased to the AMEN House, the service arm of SUM.

§         2005-2007, Samuel L. Pendergrast served as Interim Pastor.  

§         Leaders in this church have served in various positions in the Synod and General Assembly. Rev. D.T. Brandenburg was stated clerk of the Synod of Kentucky PCUS from 1948-60. In 1955, Ruling Elder Earl Friedly was commissioner to the Presbyterian Church U.S. In 1975, Rev. Paul Edris, former pastor, was Moderator of the General Assembly, PCUS. Rev A. S. Crigler was commissioner to the Synod of the Mid-South. Ruling elder Janet Patton represented the Presbyterian Church USA at the World Council of Churches in Australia in 1993—the same year Rev. Pat Clark served as commissioner to the General Assembly in Orlando, Florida. In 1996, Brittain Skinner served as youth delegate to the General Assembly representing Transylvania Presbytery. Ruling Elder Joe Hoffman served as commissioner to the 1999 General Assembly meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.

§         Two seminarians gained their supervised field experience at our church: Betsy Steiner was supervised by Rev Charles Murray and Mary Baber Reed was supervised by Rev Pat Clark. Both Ms Steiner and Ms. Reed were later ordained as Presbyterian ministers. Two other students from the Lexington Theological Seminary, Roger Bums-Watson and Nancy Chamblee, served as part-time youth director.

§         Many memorial gifts such as the communion service, brass Celtic cross, baptismal font, and pew Bibles continue to be used.

§         Thirty-three pastors have served this church.

§         Beginning in 1859 and continuing until 1987, ministers and their families lived in church-owned manses. Four manses have housed FPC ministers. The current minister provides his own housing.

§         Our church buildings have served as a meeting place for school and community groups including: Girl and Boy Scouts, 4-H Clubs, Blood Bank, Day Care Center, Hospice Offices, Comprehensive Care Center, and student groups from Georgetown College The SUM/AMEN House has been located in the church’s annex since 1991. Group activities currently in the church include the Sunday School for all ages, Youth Council, Young Adult Fellowship, the 50-plus Fellowship, Vacation Bible School, Advent and Lenten dinner/discussion series, and Family Night Suppers.

§         The session is divided into five committees: Worship, Christian Education, Service and Outreach, Finance, and Properties. Members from the congregation may also serve on committees.

§         Three trustees oversee the church’s investments and trust funds.

§         The Presbyterian Women have two circles and a Coordinating Team. Three gatherings of all Presbyterian Women are held each year. At the Presbytery level, several members serve on the Coordinating Team and participate in Gatherings. In July 2000, six women from FPC attended the Church-wide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Louisville. Five women attended a similar conference in 1997.

§         The church has representatives on several boards including Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, Hollon House, the Georgetown Child Development Center, and the AMEN House.

§         The music program is headed by Terry Hammer.

§         Currently, the church has 195 active members representing a variety of ages, backgrounds, and interests working together to be the "Household of God."

§         In September of 2007 Pastor Gaither Emmanuel Bailey began his duties as the Head of Staff/Pastor.

§         In February of 2008, the Session signed a contract for the restoration of the historic Votey/Holtkamp pipe organ by the Miller Pipe Organ Company of Louisville, Kentucky.