Mt. Sterling Baptist Church

History

Located near the site of today’s Mary Chiles Hospital and constructed of round logs, the Mt. Sterling Baptist Church was one of the first churches organized by the Baptists in 1796.(1) Several years later, the building was demolished in favor of a new brick structure, which was also subsequently town down around 1830 or 1831. The demolished material was used in the construction of Fort Mason nearby.

In July 1871, a new brick building was completed at a cost of $5,200.(1) In 1914, under the leadership of Reverend J.S. Wilson, the congregation voted upon that a more spacious church was needed. They had not one dollar towards this purpose and with the membership being quite small, they purchased the residence of the late Mrs. W. F. Hibbler on the corner of High Street and Howard Avenue and renovated the property into a church at a cost of $40,000.

A modern church was completed at North Bank and West High streets in 1916.(1)

In 2000, the church relocated to a larger facility on the outskirts of town. A church group from the nearby city of Winchester purchased the property in 2005 and began renovations, but was overwhelmed by the amount of work needed and abandoned the project.(2) In August 2007, the Baptist Worship Center completed purchase of the former church and began hosting services.

Further Reading

1. Baptist Worship Center

Sources

1. “Mt. Sterling Churches Rank Among the Finest in State of Kentucky; Baptist Church.” Mt. Sterling Advocate Sept. 1934, Historical Edition ed.: 8-9, 11.