First Christian Church History
By Miss Mattie L. Berry
In commemoration of its centennial, 1930

To fully understand why the Christian church at Versailles was established as an independent organization, it will be well to know something of those two great men, Jacob Creath, Sr. and Jacob Creath, Jr. (North Carolina Disciples of Christ, by Ware), also something about the history of the Clear Creek Baptist church.

Jacob Creath, Sr. was born of Irish parentage in Nova Scotia, during the American Revolution, Feb. 22, 1777. His father, Samuel Creath, was imprisoned and his property confiscated because he sympathized with the Colonies, and his mother was cruelly treated by the Red Coats. Samuel was finally released and ordered to heave the country. Jacob must have inherited that trait of character of his father's which made him stand by his convictions no matter what the cost.

In 1786 the family finally settled in the Grassy Creek community in Granville county, North Carolina.

During a great revival Jacob left the Presbyterians and joined the Baptists. These Baptists of Grassy Creek never formulated a creed, believing the scriptures were sufficient for the faith and practice of Christians. They observed the Lord's Supper every Lord's day, and it was a common practice to immerse any one upon the confession of faith in Jesus Christ. But when the more numerous eastern Baptists adopted the Calvinistic system of the Philadelphia association, and merged with those of the central region, the Grassy Creek people lost many of these simplicities.

In 1803 Jacob Creath, Sr. came to Lexington, KY., bringing with him this simple faith to which he still clung. It was not long before he was considered one of the greatest preachers of any faith in Kentucky. During the "Great Revival" in 1827 it is said that he converted 1,400 persons. Henry Clay said that he was the finest orator Kentucky ever produced, and Thos. Campbell said that Creath's defense at his exclusion by the Baptists in 1830 was the most masterly and overwhelming piece of eloquence to which he had ever listened.

And this is the man who was preaching for the Versailles Christian church at its birth.

Another influence which helped to bring about the establishment of the church was Jacob Creath, Jr., nephew of Jacob Creath, Sr. He was raised on a farm in Mecklenburg county, Virginia, and was converted in 1817 by the preaching of James Shelburne, great-great-grandfather of our W. J. Shelburne. When he came of Kentucky, he became identified with the Calvinist Baptists, who told him that Alexander Campbell was a heretic of the worst kind. But later, while visiting his uncle, Jacob Creath, Sr., he saw a copy of the Christian Baptist edited by A. Campbell, and received what he says was a "true account of one of the most extraordinary men of this or any other century."

It was through the preaching of Jacob Creath, Jr. that John T. Johnson was converted to the "Restoration Movement," and later became a power in the work.

These two men, Jacob Creath, Sr. and Jacob Creath, Jr., later became identified with the Clear Creek Baptist church in Woodford county.

Clear Creek had been established in April 1785 with about thirty members but by the end of the century the membership had increased to 500. "During Jacob Creath's ministry they grew rich enough to build them a large brick meeting house, but they found that the best riches does not consist in a fine house."

The Versailles, Hillsboro and Grier's Creek churches were daughters of Clear Creek.

John Taylor in his History of Ten Churches says of the Versailles church: "I consider this church the youngest daughter of Clear Creek. They have existed as a church six or seven years -- the well known Jacob Creath was constituted with the, and his membership is there still, they had no other pastor from the beginning; they were but few in numbers when constituted. They progressed but slowly for sometime; worship God in the court-house or some other shelter as they could find. They now have a large well finished brick meeting house where the people attend in crowded assemblies to worship God in solemn devotion.

The brick meeting house of which he speaks is the old building at 121 Rose Hill, erected in 1819.

By 1828 the Clear Creek church became hopelessly divided into the regular Baptists and the anti-creed Baptists, and the trouble was intensified by the personal jealousies of a few who helped to keep up the strife.

In December 1828, Jacob Creath, Jr. was invited by the anti-creed party to preach for them on the first Sunday of each month, while Geo. Blackburn, the regular pastor, was to preach the other Sundays. But this arrangement added to the strife, and the question was raised whether a portion of the church had a right to employ a preacher without the consent of the church. The anti-creed people, wishing to live at peace with their brethren as far as possible, withdrew to the woods where they held their meetings during the summer.

Because of the dissension in the church, Clear Creek had not celebrated the Lord's Supper for two years. The anti-creed members were very anxious to observe the ordinance, so at one of their monthly meetings, with many from Versailles, who sympathized with the, they partook of the sacred feast in the grove. The other members thought it was outlandish for a faction to go into the woods to commemorate the Lord's death. "As the offense was repeated again and again, they solemnly decided that such conduct was disorderly and their censure was put on record. Jacob Creath, Sr., and even John Taylor tried to have the decree reversed, but in vain. The condemned party, unable to abandon the table of the Lord, determined as a last resort to constitute themselves into a church of Christ on the word of the Lord alone. The younger Creath was with John Smith preaching to the churches in Bath and Montgomery when this resolution was taken; but he met with them on the appointed day and helped to constitute them into a church. (Life of Elder John Smith.)

The Calvinist Baptists were determined to be patient no longer with heresy and heretics and decided to get rid of the Creaths and their associates. "The conduct of the Craeths in organizing into a church of the Bible alone, those who had refused to live under a human constitution, was ground enough for dealing with them and the church to which they belonged. Following the advice of John Taylor, Clear Creek appointed a committee to treat with the Creaths for the disorder of advising and setting up another church in her meeting house and for railing out against her constitution. After an unsatisfactory interview, the committee publicly accused them before the church at Versailles. But that church postponed the trial, and called for a committee of helps from South Elkhorn, providence and Lexington. This course greatly offended the Clear Creek brethren; for, as they alleged, two of those very churches were as far gone in the fatal delusion, of Alexander Campbell as Versailles herself, and they resolved to lay the whole matter before the association on the ground that Versailles had not offered that satisfaction which was due to a sister church."(Life of Elder John Smith.)

On the second Saturday in August, 1830, the Elkhorn Association met at the Silas meeting house, and after heated debates and a masterly address by Jacob Creath, Sr., Jeremiah Vardeman moved: "That the church at Versailles be dropped from further correspondence with this association." At the same meeting the Providence church was also excluded from the Association because it had received into its membership Jacob Creath, jr., who had withdrawn from Clear Creek, hoping by his withdrawal to put a stop to the trouble in the church.

This without designing it the Versailles church became an independent organization, and in looking back at these disagreements of a century ago, it is a happy thought that the bitterness of those far-away times is truly a thing of the past.

It is not known when the church was first known as the Christian church, but as early as 1823 Jacob Creath, Sr., had been convinced that all God's people should wear only the name of Christ.

In 1823, when John A. Gano was converted by Barton W. Stone, his sisters sent for Jacob Creath to come and persuade their brother to return to the Baptist church. Mr. Creath went and had a long talk with him, reminding him of the fact that his family had been Baptists for generations and that his grandfather had been chaplain in the Revolution under Washington and had baptised Washington. They talked earnestly until morning when Mr. Creath in taking his leave said, "Brother John, you are right and I will take my stand with you and will preach the scriptures as the only rule of faith and practice and the name of Christ the only name to be worn by his followers, and this is to be the only ground of Christian union. (The Cane Ridge Meeting House" by Jas. Rogers.)

At that time Mr. Creath was seeking a ground for Christian union and had no idea of establishing a new denomination, for we know that he still considered himself a Baptist when he and his church were cast out of the Elkhorn Association in 1830.

Something of interest in the church is shown in a note of Alexander Campbell, published in the Millennial Harbinger of 1831. Of his visit to Woodford in November, 1830, he says: "We sent to the county seat, and met with Jacob Creath, Sr. and John Smith, of Montgomery in the Versailles meeting house. A large audience assembled, so much so that fears were entertained for the falling of the galleries by the press. We proceeded to address them from the first chapter of 2d Peter.....This is one of the churches which were cast out of the Association in August last for their preference to the New Testament."

In the Gospel Advocate of October, 1835 is found the following interesting statement concerning the church.

"A ten day's meeting at Versailles has just closed. It commenced on Saturday, the twelfth of September, Jacob Creath, Sr. presided and John T. Johnson and Jacob Creath, Jr., did the preaching until the Wednesday following. During that time about 60 persons confessed the Lord Jesus and were immersed for the remission. Messengers were dispatched for Brethren J. Challen and B. F. Hall who arrived on Wednesday. On Saturday, the 19th some of the brethren left to attend a two days meeting at Mt. Vernon and Stamping Ground. The others continued until Monday, the 21st. During the meeting about 135 persons were immersed for the remission of sins.

"There was nothing of the excitement peculiar to revivals, so called. Nothing preached to excite the animal feelings. It was the gospel truth that did the work.

"We have no room for comment more than that Versailles is the first place in Kentucky where the ancient gospel was received. And while our enemies are publishing far and wide that Campbellism, as they slanderously denomiate the gospel of Christ, is dying out in Kentucky, and particularly in those places where it was first embraced; we wish it to be recollected there is in Versailles a congregation of more than 250 members and several others in the county."

The Gospel Advocate quoted above, an important church paper, was first published in 1835 in Georgetown and edited by J. T. Johnson and B. F. Hall, but in 1836, when Mr. Johnson withdrew on account of other numerous engagements and Mr. Hall moved to Woodford county, the paper was published in Versailles.

John T. Johnson was one of the great preachers of his day, and from his biography by John Rogers, we find he held a meeting in Versailles in the spring of 1832. He returned in April, 1837 and had a debate with Rev. J. C. Styles, a Presbyterian minister of "some ability, but a very wild, eccentric, enthusiastic, not to say fanatical sort of man." The subject of the debate was 'the influence of the Spirit in the conversion of sinners.' The debate was interrupted suddenly and certainly without any fault of Mr. Johnson."

It is interesting to note that this same Mr. Styles, the very next fall, vauntingly challenged the "Reformers" to bring on their Mr. Campbell to defend them. When Mr. Campbell came in the fall of 1837, and during the discussion asked Mr. Styles if he believed and taught "that infants, even elect infants, dying in infancy must be regenerated in order to salvation," Mr. Styles declined to answer. He "appeared so entirely disconcerted and unnerved in the presence of Mr. Campbell and the large audience assembled, that he could not be induced to enter upon any discussion whatever." (Memoirs of A. Campbell.)

Mr. Campbell visited Versailles again in April 1839. Among those who entertained him he speaks of "brethren Nuckols, Duvan and Bullock, whose dwellings were ours while we sojourned with them -- whose presence and salutations in the Lord greatly animated our zeal and lightened the fatigues of our journey."

In a letter to Alexander Campbell, B. F. Hall tells of a meeting he held in Versailles in August, 1839, assisted by A. Kendrick from Tennessee. Forty-two members were added to the church, :among the number was your venerable friend Col (Wm. B.) Blackburn. As soon as the invitation was given by Bro. Kendrick at the close of his discourse on the Lord's day morning, Col. Blackburn started forward from the extreme part of the house. He came pressing through a dense crowd, and as soon as he was perceived by his excellent and pious daughter, Sister Bartlett, she flew to meet him, and oh! What a scene. The Col. Asked permission to speak to the congregation. His address was affectionate and impressive. He has been a lawyer, I think, for about 40 years and 27 years a politician."

Col. Blackburn died February 23, 1843. In a letter announcing his death to A. Campbell, B. Clark says of him: "Truly, an excellent one of earth has fallen. In the fulfillment of the various relations he sustained in life our brother has left but few equals. For many years a public servant in the councils of the state, he was true, faithful, indefatigable. As a husband, a father, a master, none were more kind, dutiful, faithful or affectionate. As a friend, a citizen, a neighbor, none more sincere, hospitable, or sympathizing. In every relation he has shown himself a pattern."

"In the house of the Lord he always filled his place. In his family he never neglected to pray night and morning. I short he was a living, devoted Christian."

We do not know the names of many others connected with the church at this time for no record of the membership can be found, but from the Harbinger we find that, when a call came to the congregation for assistance for Bethany College, W. L. Graddy, Samuel Nuckols, and J. B. Jesse each gave $100. These are familiar names on the church roll of today. And from the Harbinger of 1855 we learn the names and generosity of others. An appeal was made to the church for funds to educate young ministers and it was responded to as follows: William Morton, $100; Mary Martin, $100; J. H. Shouse, $200; A. W. Shouse, $100; S. Nuckols, $100; Mary C. Nuckols, $100; R. D. Shipp, $100; B. F. Duvall, $50; S. K. Goodloe, $50; Hanna Menzies, $50.

At one time the church had on its roll a number of colored people, the slaves, who attended services with their masters. They sat in the gallery which they reached by a stairway coning down to the pavement where the door of the present kitchen is located. Soon after the war the Negroes withdrew, united with their Baptist friends and built a church of their own. When Mr. Crenshaw came to Versailles, he brought with him his old "mammy," Aunt Eliza Ellis, who was the beloved "mammy," to his children as long as she lived. She refused to go to the Negro church and put her membership with us, where it remained until her death in 1917. When "Aunt Liza" died she was buried in the Crenshaw lot in the Versailles cemetery. She rests where at the feet of her mistress among her with people whom she passionately loved.

Among the notable meetings held in the old church on Rose Hill was one conducted in 1843 by Dr. L. L. Pinkerton and B. F. Hall, assisted by Elder William Morton; another in March 1847 held by J. T. Johnson, who, in reporting the meeting of Mr. Crichfield, editor of the Christian Journal says; "We were greatly interrupted by rain and snow, yet we had the happiness to witness 12 accessions.

"The church is under the pastoral care of C. J. Smith, who takes a deep interest in welfare of the church. By the blessing of God and the joint efforts of the members, this church has it in her power, and is destined to accomplish great good.

"I left the brethren in a fine state of feeling and greatly refreshed with the meeting and the success of our labor. Bro. J. N. Payne and Enos Campbell, who reside in the town, and Bro Taffe were with us." (Biography of J. T. Johnson by Rogers.)

A meeting which aroused a great deal of interest in the community was held by Walter Scott. In a letter telling of his visit to churches at Paris, Georgetown, Midway and New Union he writes: "A meeting was in progress at Versailles. The brethren were pleased to invite me to aid. I was forced to meet their wishes. The excitement is very great. I have preached and spoken three times a day for one week. And, thanks to our God in Christ Jesus, 30 have already made the good confession. Men are coming in from a distance of seven miles to meeting, even by night. Old impenitent sinners who have not been seen at meeting for seven years before have found their way into the assembly, and several, notorious for their evil doings, have been reclaimed. Even the eloquent orator, Thos. Marshall, has felt the excitement, and found out the power of the Lord. He was present last evening and lent his devout attention to my discourse. He even came up form the remotest corner of the house where he had ensconced himself during the preaching, and boldly stood by the side of the pulpit." (Life of Walter Scott.)

From the extract quoted from J. T. Johnson's letter we find that Curtis J. Smith was pastor of the church in 1847, and he was still pastor in 1852. For in the Millennial Harbinger for 852, Mr. Johnson speaks of Bro. C. J. Smith of Versailles, having held a meeting for him in Georgetown. Whether Mr. Smith followed Jacob Creath, Sr., as pastor, or how long he remained with the church we do not know, but evidently he was in charge of the work when the new church on Lexington street was begun.

It was in June, 1852 that Samuel Nuckols and B. F. Duvall, as trustees, bought form Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor and Geo. T. Cotton and wife, the lot on which the present church building stands. A brick building was erected, and dedicated in 1853 by Alexander Campbell.

From reminiscences of John T. Berry, who was born in 1837 and died in 1925, and who was for 72 years a member and 50 years an officer of the church which he loved with increasing devotion, we learn something of the dedication service.

"Mr. Campbell preached in the morning to a crowded house. W. K. Pendleton, a son-in-law of Mr. Campbell, preached at the evening service. The singing was led in those days by Mr. Duvall, with no instrument, and the whole congregation sang.

"In that year (1853) R. C. Ricketts held the first revival in the new church, and during this meeting I became a member.

"in the old church (on Lexington Street) I have heard some of the great men of our brotherhood preach. Besides Alexander Campbell, W. K. Pendleton and R. C. Ricketts already mentioned, there were Moses E. Lard, Jacob Creath, sr., W. H. Hopson, "Raccoon" John Smith, John T. Johnson, John A. and Stephen Gano, John I. Rogers, Benjamin Franklin, L. L. Pinkerton, J. W. McGarvey, W. T. Moore and A. McLean.

"One of the greatest revivals was held in 1876 by John S. Shouse, who was born and reared in Woodford county. There were about 100 additions, among them a number of men over fifty years of age, the oldest being my father, who was seventy-six."

In March, 1854, that noble-hearted, eloquent defender of the faith, Jacob Creath, Sr. died. During the last seven years of his life he was blind, but bore the terrible affliction without a murmur. Mr. G. W. Ellery, in writing to Mr. Pinkerton of the death of Mr. Creath, sad he had often heard him tell of his conflicts with the Baptists, but upon his death-bed, with uplifted hands he said, "I forgive every human being all their supposed injuries as well as those which were real, for Christ's sake." (Harbinger 1854).

Thus passed that great man who had done so much for the cause of the Disciples of Christ in Kentucky, and for the Versailles Christian church.

For a number of years from 1854, no record of anything else connected with the history of the church has been found, except that Alexander Campbell, now an old man, visited Versailles in 1858. One of the buildings at Bethany had burned, and Mr. Campbell was making a tour of the country to raise funds to re-build. In a letter to his wife form here, dated February 20, 1858, he says: "I am able to speak once every day, which has been the average of my public labors since my entrance on the territory of Kentucky. Our congregations are large, attentive and much interested. Bro. Pendleton also speaks about as often, and is heard with much attention..."I am to deliver an address in this place tomorrow on the present kingdom of Christ, its origin, progress, and end: when, where and by who commenced; its ultimate triumph and glory.

"On Monday morning at ten o'clock, by special request of all denominations in town, I am to address all the pupils of the schools, male and female, assembled in our meeting house." (Memoirs of A. Campbell.)

The old church which was dedicated in 1853 was a dignified brick building with a tall cupola in which hung a sweet-toned bell to call the people to worship. But a number of years ago the bell was taken down and in 1922 the cupola was torn down as it was considered unsafe.

The first baptistry was built in under the platform in the Sunday school room some time between 1880 and 1890. Before that, the ordinance of baptism was administered in some nearby pond.

For a number of years there was no organ in the church, and there is no record as to when the little cabinet organ was put in. There was quite a good deal of opposition to an instrument in the house of the Lord, but the young people were anxious for an organ so one was placed in the Sunday school room. I heard one of the old members say that when one of the good brethren came to prayer meeting and saw the organ, he turned around and walked out. But after thinking the matter over he decided to withdraw his objection if the church thought the organ would be a means of holding the young people, and the next prayer meeting night found him in his accustomed seat. It was not long before another organ was bought and put in the main auditorium. The pipe organ was purchased in 1897, during Br. W. B. Taylors' pastorate.

The first organist was Miss Lilly Young, and after she married, Miss Lula Graves, who is now Mrs. Go. Minary, took her place. Mrs. Minary has been a most efficient and faithful organist for a number of years. Beginning the work when quite a young girl, she has continued to serve the church until the present day. (Mrs. Minary served for 52 years)

Since the first organ was put in the church the leaders of the choir have been: Mr. Bruce Wilson, Dr. J. W. Crenshaw and Mrs. Nell Winn D'Anna.

At one time we had a very fine choir composed of some unusual voices: Mr. Nat Stone, bass; Mrs. Stone, alto; their son, Miller Stone, baritone; soprano soloists, Mrs. Keene Arnold, Miss Emma Cotton (Mrs. R. R. Crutcher), Miss Fan Berry (Mrs. W. C. Bates), and a number of others who helped to make a full choir. The faithful leader of this choir was Dr. J. W. Crenshaw.

The church as always had a prosperous Bible school. While Mr. Tharp was our pastor, the school outgrew the Sunday school room and some of the classes were moved to the main auditorium. The primary class was taught in the pastor's study, which was just back of the main room. The superintendents I can recall though probably not in the right order are: Mr. Hardin Field, Sr., Mr. T. A. Hendricks, Mr. Arthur Daugherty, Mr. Chas. Foley, Mr. R. N. Brock, and Mr. Hardin Field, Jr.

Since the building was enlarged in 1924 and facilities for work added, the school has increased in numbers and efficiency.

The first authentic date available when a pastor took charge, is Feb. 1877, when Mr. T. A. Crenshaw came to Versailles, and he was still preaching for us when he died Mr. 1882 while holding a meeting in Bourbon county. He and his wife, Mrs. Gillie B. Crenshaw, founded Rose Hill Seminary in which were educated many of the women of our community as well as many from other parts of the state.

Mr. Crenshaw was followed by that fine, scholarly gentlemen, Mr. J. B. McGinn, who came to us Feb. 1883 and remained until early in 1887, when he gave up the work on account of his age. However, he continued to live in Versailles. One summer the Presbyterians, who had the greatest respect for the man and for his breadth of culture, employed him to supply for Mr. Rout, who was to take a three months rest. While Mr. McGinn was our pastor he organized a church at Irvine, Ky.

After Mr. McGinn, Mr. Wallace Tharp took charge of the work. Mr. Tharp was popular in his church and in the community at large, and left the church in a very prosperous condition. Early during his ministry here a very successful protracted meeting was held, Mr. Tharp himself doing the preaching.

Mr. J. L. Darsie came to us Dec. 5, 1891 and remained until Jan. 1895. He organized a Christian Endeavor for the young people of our church, and started the work in every school-house in the county. Woodford became the "banner county" of Kentucky. In a letter to me he says with characteristic modesty, "I did not do much, if any, of this work, but the good people of our church took the lead." It was while Mr. Darsie was here that the large unsightly old stoves were taken out of the church and a furnace put in, also electric lights replaced the coal oil lamps.

On July 1st, 1895, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Taylor and son, Bright, reached Versailles. One of the outstanding features of Mr. Taylor's pastorate was an annual protracted meeting, one of the most successful of which was held in 1898 by Mr. H. A. Northcutt, of Missouri. There was a deep spiritual interest almost form the beginning, the attendance was large, and there were about 50 additions. In writing of the meeting, Mr. Taylor says: "I shall never forget the hymn entitled "Peace, Sweet Peace' sung several times during the services by Mrs. Keene Arnold and Mrs. Nat Stone." Two others of these meetings were held by Mr. R. H. Crossfield and Mr. H. D. Clark. Another meeting which stirred the community was the Biederwolf union meeting which was held in the court-house. Quite a number were added to the different churches.

In the autumn of 1903 the church celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the occupancy of the building dedicated in 1853. Serves were held three nights and one Sunday, different visiting preachers assisting.

Mr. Taylor left Dec. 31st, 1903 and Mr. R. J. Bamber began his ministry April 1st, 1904 and remained with us until October 1st, 1918. In answering my letter asking for facts concerning his ministry here, Mr. Bamber says:

"During that time (fourteen years and six moths) there were over 1,000 additions to the churches -- 400 to the Versailles church and over 600 in meetings held elsewhere during my pastorate.

"During the year 1907 we spent about $3,000.00 on improvements to the church building -- painting outside and inside, putting in the art windows, new carpets, etc.

"The parsonage was built in 1908. Mrs. Margaret Twyman left us in her will $2,500.00 with a personal understanding with me as to its purpose. Mrs. Mary F. Martin left us $1,000.00 for the same purpose. We had besides, about $2,000.00 in what was known as the Durrett fund. I think included in this was the proceeds from the sale of the old property we owned on Lexington street. We moved into the new parsonage in December, 1908.

"During the year 1913 the church gave me the trip to the Holy Land and Europe, presenting me with a substantial gift toward expenses and continuing salary and furnishing supply during my absence.

"Evangelistic meetings were held during my pastorate by John L. Brandt, B. H. Melton, W. H. Pinkerton, E. B. Barnes and H. C. Garrison.

"Yes, we sent Elise and Ben -- that is, Mr. and Mrs. B. E. Watson, as missionaries to Japan. The Versailles church assumed the support of Elise and the Danville church supported Ben. The farewell service for them was held August 4, 1918.

"We also gave to the Men and Millions Movement in April, 1918, $2,510.00. This was the Emergency Drive. We had previously in 1914, Nov. 8, had the Men and Millions Team visit the church and at that time there were three gifts made to this fund of $500.00 each, I think. This was handled direct by the Men and Missions organization and I do not find a note on it in my records. Mrs. Annie Berryman, who made on the gifts and who was at that time president of the C. W. B. M., I think can tell you about this."

Mr. Bamber speaks of his stay with us as an "unusually happy and affectionate pastorate." He says also that the church voluntarily raised his salary five times.

During Mr. E. C. Lacy's pastorate, 1919-1921, 113 members were added to the church, 71 of whom came in during Mr. A. W. Fortune's interesting and inspiring meeting. Mr. Lacy began to agitate the question of a new building, but at that time the church did not feel it was in a position to undertake the work.

In Feb. 1922, Mr. W. J. Shelburne began his work with us and is still our leader. The crowning work of his ministry has been the remodeling and enlarging of our church home at a cost of $50,000, every cent of which has been paid. On the last day of a successful revival, Sunday, April 13, 1924, the building was dedicated by Mr. Ben M. Edwards, evangelist, assisted by Mr. Walker, singer.

Mr. Shelburne was untiring in his efforts to make this great work a success, as were also the members of the executive committee; Dr. W. C. McCauley, chairman, E. A Davis, treasurer, and Mrs. John Berryman, assisted by R. E. Willis, Hardin Field, Jr., Henry Graddy, B. F. Chenault, Mrs. R. K. Arnold and Mrs. J. B. Boston.

The beautiful "new" building has added many facilities for the work of the Sunday school and all the other church organizations. The Bible school ahs been organized on modern standards and has maintained an average attendance of 150 to 200. A good many years ago the women of the church organized the C. W. B. M., now called the Woman's Missionary Society. Mrs. Lewella Wasson Nuckols has written an interesting history of the work of this society. There is also the Elise Arnold Missionary Society which is doing splendid work, and the Sewing Circle composed of a few women who give one day a week to quilting.

During Mr. Shelburne's ministry there have been 295 additions to the church, but we have sustained heavy loss by the death of many workers and leaders. Two revivals have been held: One by Ben M. Edwards, assisted by Mr. and Mrs. Owen Walker, who had charge of the music, and the other by W. E. Ellis, assisted by Frank Carlton in charge of the singing.

The congregation has uniformly provided for all current obligations and has given form $1,500 to $2,000 annually for missions.

Through some gifts form the Mortonsville church, which united with us, a permanent fund of some $3,000 has been crated which it is hoped will ultimately be increased to $20,000 or more. Only the interest from this fund may be used. It provides an opportunity to make an abiding memorial that will live and bless long after any marble shaft has crumbled to the dust.

First Christian Church History Update
by Mrs. W.A. Cleveland
In commemoration of its Sesquicentennial, 1980

The Ervins, Jack and Jewell, were here form the fall of 1939 until he accepted a teaching position of religion and Philosophy at Transylvania College in 1947. Rev. Ervin was a scholar and a deeply spiritual person. He worked toward a church constitution and better training and understanding of responsibilities by church officers. The young church members organized a "Come Double" class and enjoyed monthly programs, picnics, and dinners.

The Meiningers, Clint, Margorie, Phil and Danny, were an involved, active family in the church and community. Their stay in Versailles was from 1947 to 1954. Marjorie was an ordained minister and had served church while Clint was a Chaplain. Soon Marjorie's parents, retired missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Williamson, came to make their home here and work in the church. There were four ordained ministers at the parsonage. The church school was emphasized and more graded classes started. The Rev. Meininger had a special love and friendship for all people, meeting the needs of the churched and the unchurched. They continue their work in Jefferson, Iowa. Danny has been in the ministry several years.

The McCulloughs, Jack, Hazel and Jacie, were from Lynchburg, Virginia, 1954-1961. The Pathfinders were organized as a couples class and service group. The Reverend Orval W. Baylor taught an outstanding men's Bible class with an attendance of forty. Nearing the close of their distinguished careers, Dr. A. W. Fortune and Dr. Home C. Carpenter brought special messages to this congregation.

The parsonage on Morgan Street was sold for $20,000. Two lots on Wooldridge Lane were purchased and the new, excellently planned parsonage and garage built for $30,000. (Compare that with 1980 prices!)

In 1959 major repairs and modernization of the church plant were so extensive that this congregation met for six months at Margaret Hall School. The basic wring, heating, air conditioning and redecorating problems were solved. The new chancel, rose window, center aisle, pipe organ, elevator and carpeting resulted form careful planning, hard work and long hours on the part of all the committees involved. A detailed account will be found in other church records. Indeed, it was a happy occasion for the Rev. McCullough and the congregation when a service of re-dedication was held September 27, 1959.

The Amasons, Roger, Mary Ann and Anna Maria, were here for a ten year period, 1962-1972. The challenge to the congregation was to pay the remodeling indebtedness, nearly $100,000. This was accomplished and a note burning service was held June 15, 1969.

In January of 1970 J. Hunter Jones was called to Versailles First Christian Church as Associate Minister. He, along with his wife, Shirley, and children, Cindy and Jeffrey, became a strong asset to our church and community. Cantatas and religious drams and Handel's Messiah with a community choir were part of the numerous church and community projects he directed during his three years as associate and interim minister.

The Mallorys, Bob, Anne, and Tim, were here from 1972-1978. A bus was purchased and the bus ministry begun. This enabled increased activities: a trip to Florida for the youth, social service programs, and recreational outings for the Senior Citizens in the community.

The church reached out to meet needs in the community through the clothing and food banks. World Outreach giving increased from $300.00 to $1500.00. The Ryley building adjoining the church on Locust Street was purchased.

The music of the Bill Somerville family was a joy to all. It was a blessing to have Bill at Versailles church during his seminary years. During his term, the youth choir made a choral tour of churches in New York.

The Weavers, John, Diana, Brad and Stacey, moved to Versailles in August, 1978. With John's leadership the church has made record growth in Week of compassion giving and concern. Church facilities were used and personnel aided in the Kentucky River flood relief program. Several church members sponsored and many helped a Vietnamese refugee family, the Lys. This family lives in the apartment above our church offices and is very much a part of our church family and concern. A Wednesday prayer service is held at Taylor Manor one evening a month.

The young people have good times and show strong Christian purpose as well. They exhibit many talents in sports, worship services musical programs and in fund raising projects, such as walks or fasts against hunger.

This is a happy, confident church that wants to extend its fellowship.