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Walnut Hill Church: A Brief History

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Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church
www.cr.nps.gov/nr/travel/lexington/wal.htm
Pastor Michael Ward
voice: (859) 263-5304

In 1785, the first congregation of the Walnut Hill Presbyterian Church assembled in a 30' x 30' log meeting house on the property of the Rev. James Crawford. In 1801, the church built a more permanent 40' x 50' stone structure on 6.75 acres given by Lee Todd. This stone structure still stands as the sanctuary of Walnut Hill Church.

In 1848, Dr. J. J. Bullock became pastor of Walnut Hill. He bought 8 acres immediately north of the church grounds and built a large home ("Whitehall"). Here he founded a boarding school for girls in 1849, naming it the Walnut Hill Female Seminary.

In 1882, the church bought the three-plus acres of the Walnut Hill School property, increasing the church.s land holdings to approximately 10 acres. A Victorian manse was constructed on the newly acquired land. In the same year, major changes were made in the church building itself. Constructed originally in the Georgian style, the church was changed to reflect the neo-Gothic style of architecture, resulting in the removal of existing upper galleries, and the replacement of the rectangular Georgian windows with tall neo-Gothic stained glass. Additional changes were made in the door design and the pew arrangement. Gas lamps were also installed, replacing the candles and coal oil lamps which were in previous use.

In 1924, in order to make the approach easier for the new automobile, a second entrance approaching from the back (north side) of the church was added, having a milder hill upgrade than the older, eroded carriage lane located on the southeast of the property.

In 1940, regular church services at Walnut Hill Church ceased and the building stood idle. By 1972, the church and the church grounds had fallen into disrepair. The church itself lost its original stained glass windows, its roof leaked, and the plaster that adorned the interior fell from exposure to the elements. The church grounds did not fare much better. The framed family memorials in the cemetery disappeared, grave markers were broken or lost, and the manse and stable fell into ruin.

In early 1972, the Walnut Hill Association formed to restore the church and the surrounding property. In August 1973, to raise money, nine new stained glass windows (modeled after the old ones) were "sold" for $1,000 each. These windows serve as memorials.

A ecumenical approach to worship was decided on for the new congregation, due to the fact that the Association responsible for the revitalization was composed of people from various faiths, and many rather liked the influence of different faith traditions upon their worship. In April of 1976, a ecumenical program of worship was officially initiated, and exists to this present day.

History adapted from "Walnut Hill Church: a short story" researched and written by Samuel M. Cassidy and edited by Terrence L. Tucker.