History
On May 30, 1818, in the home of Dr. John
Pearson, in Perryville, KY in Mercer County (which became Boyle County in
1842) the Perryville Baptist Church was organized. There were a
total of 24 members, all of whom had letters from the Old Salt River
Church. These members adopted a constitution that they entered into
which began, "We believe the Old and New Testaments are the inspired word
of God and the only rule of Faith and Practice."
As the church had no regular meeting place, the first
business meeting was held on June 5, 1818 in the cottage of Dr. Pearson.
From then until the early part of 1822, the church met in various places,
including the Methodist Brothers Camp and then started having services in
the Union Meeting House. The South District Association met with the
Perryville Baptist Church for the first time in 1829.
In November 1871, the church organized a Sunday School,
with teachers in the following departments: Bible Class, Intermediate
Girls, Intermediate Boys, and Primary Children. In April, 1873, the
church resolved to build a meeting house. A building committee was
appointed and the building project began. After the money was
expended, the church had to borrow $500 to put a roof on the building.
The church was dedicated in the fall of 1877. In 1880, the church
voted to purchase 24 song books and an organ.
In 1915, the church voted to build Sunday School rooms.
In 1916, the church voted to have the church wired for electric lights and
the Sunday School Rooms were dedicated in August. In 1956, a 3-floor
brick educational unit added to the sanctuary, at a cost of &60,000.
In 1958, a new parsonage, valued at $20,000 was built and dedicated.
In 1963, the sanctuary was remodeled, including a new
baptistry and choir loft. In 1965 the church purchased the Dr.
Hopper property for $12,000, which was used as Sunday School rooms and is
the current site of the educational annex.
In 1970's the church voted to air condition, add pews,
and add a sound system in the sanctuary.
In 1980's at a cost of $133,000, the church voted to
build the educational annex. Also, the church purchased the Watts
property, which is currently used for parking, for $45,000 and purchased
the first church van. That was also the first year of the Christmas
Eve Silent Lord's Supper that has been an annual event since that time.
In the 1990's, the church has increased emphasis on
missions. The church voted to purchase the baby grand piano and a
church bus. A scholarship program was established and a new sound
system installed in the sanctuary. The church celebrated its 175th
anniversary.
In the 2000's, the church has voted to build additional
educational space. It will be a 2-story, brick building at a cost in
excess of $650,000.
Perryville Baptist Church has a long, interesting
history. She has always tried to be loyal to the word of God and
keep the zeal of early members to proclaim the gospel to the world in
which men, women, and children live.
Recent Pastors of Perryville Baptist
Church
| 1972 - 1977 |
Rev. Charles Burress |
| 1978 - 1986 |
Rev. Chuck Bass |
| 1986 - 1992 |
Dr. Robert Morrison |
| 1992 - 1995 |
Rev. Paul Peterson |
| 1996 - 1997 |
Rev. Jeff Pratt |
| 1999 - 2001 |
Rev. Ron Holman |
| 2003 - 2004 |
Rev. Tom Patterson |
| 2005 - 2006 |
Rev. Dan Hunt |
| 2006 - |
Rev. Doug Davis |
Email
Webmaster, Maria Layport
Last updated Sept 6, 2005
