Ephesus Baptist Church

Photo from Blankenship and Noakes Family

Established – 1869

A clipping found in the IJ newspaper dated September 17th, 1875 “Protracted meeting in progress at Ephesus, conducted by Reverands Perkins and Middleton.

A clipping found in the IJ newspaper dated May 12th, 1908 “Memorial services of G.A.R. Post 26 will be held at Ephesus Baptist Church on Sunday, May 31st at 10 o’clock. Sermon to the old soldiers will be preached by Reverend William McHutchings of Preachersville. Song service and talks by others. KD Noakes Adjutant Post No 26 G.A.R.

Photo by Stuart Ferguson

Lincoln Co Kentucky Genealogy website

Mt Olive Church of Christ

Clipping found in IJ Newspaper dated September 24th, 1880: “Elders W.L. Williams and Livingston conducting a meeting at Mt. Olive.”

Clipping found in IJ Newspaper dated December 24th, 1886 under Ottenheim News: “Elder John Todd preached his last sermon Sunday at Mt. Olive Church. Jasper Livingston will probably be called.”

Mt Olive Church of Christ

Located at the end of north Hwy 1781 and Hwy 643

IJ Newspaper excerpts concerning Holdams Mill Baptist Church:

“Holdams Mill Baptist Church was in service in 1883 per John Abbott papers.”

“In 9 – 25 – 1900 Eld. J G Livingston preached at Holdams Mill.”

“In 1908. Eld. J G Livingston closed an interesting metting at Holdam,s last week. At this meeting
all of the denominations that attend the Holdams Mill meeting agreed on the Bible and further agreed to
to build a church to be known as the Christian Church.”

Dated June 16th, 1911 “Morris Taylor and George Taylor have completed the new church at Holdams Mill. Rev. Morgan of Crab Orchard, KY conducted the first meeting at the new church.”

I J – 11 24 – 1882

Lincoln Co Kentucky Genealogy website

Photos submitted by Shelby Roy Hopkins and Ronnie Bates
Permission to visit this cemetery must be obtained from property owner.

Mt Zion Church of Christ

Clipping found in Interior Journal dated August 11, 1911: “Reverend JG Livingston’s meeting at Mt. Zion closed Monday with 70 additions.”

Clipping found in Interior Journal dated July 19th, 1912: “Reverends to preach at Mt. Zion: JG Livingston, John Elder, Ham McAlister, AA Wren and Richard Elder.”

Lincoln Co Kentucky Genealogy website

Bethel Church of Christ

Located on Bethel Church Road off Hwy 39 South close to Pulaski County, KY line.

Clipping found in Interior Journal dated April 28th, 1911: “Ruben Todd preaching at Bethel Church.”

Clipping found in Interior Journal dated November 28th, 1911: “Sunday school continues in operation at Bethel Church every Sunday evening at 2 o’clock with Reverend John Elder in charge.”

Lincoln Co Kentucky Genealogy website

Sophus Church of God

Clipping from Interior Journal dated 1933: “Meeting in progress at Sophus reported by Reverend S.P. Shoop. Reverend Elmer Stephens, of Woodstock, is conducting a meeting at Sophus Church of God, preaching every evening at 7 o’clock.

New Hope Church of God

Jeff Steenbergen started the first worship service for the New Hope Church of God
at his house located on what is now McMullin Road in 1915.
In 1925, Hugh Crank was the pastor. They worshiped in the old Mt Zion Church building which was empty at the time.

In 1927, New Hope Church of God held several Brus Harbor meetings with pastors Charlie Carroll, S P Shoop, Charlie Brown and Robert Garner leading sermons near what is now Tom Adams Road . They worshiped in a tent across the road from Brad Reynolds store building that same year. They also held services at the empty Feed Mill building across the road from Verl Robbins home on Brodhead Road in 1927.

New Hope First Church of God built a new Church building in 1928 on the property of W B and Lola Griffin. Tisha Reynolds named the new church the New Hope First Church of God, W B Griffin said they could worship there as long as there was a building on the land, as the church had no deed . In 1932, the church building was destroyed by fire.

After that, in 1932, the patrons of New Hope First Church of God worshiped at Henry Neal’s home in the Sopas area of Broughtontown. In 1933, the church was moved back to the old Mt Zion Church building on Hwy 39. Elmer Stevens was the pastor. Next, the church returned to the Sopas community to a church-
building for a short time but this building was also destroyed by fire.

In 1935, the New Hope First Church of God worshiped at the Holdam School House building for a
short time . In 1936, the New Hope First Church of God built their second building at the
present location on Hwy 39 and now they had a place to call home and a deed to it.

From 1941 until 1943, Willard Blair was the pastor. He lived on Hwy 618. He often preached on the
court house steps, which was what a lot of pastors were doing at that time. From 1945 until 1947,
Steeley Silas Green was the pastor and from 1948 until 1955 John Horn was the pastor.

The present church building was built in 1950 with a dedication service being held August 14, 1950,
Pastor John Horn wore a shirt covered with patches with money sewed under the patches. The congregation had raised the money for new pews. The church suffered several persecutions in the early years such people riding horses up the steps and throwing hornets nests into the church but with
Gods help, the church survived.

Pastors List – 1955-Rodney Williams, 1956-Ray James, 1962-Allen Justice, 1966-Elmer Stevens, 1974-Bob Stokes, 1976-Mark Denney, 1980-Charles Whittonn, 1982-Ray Gillispie, 1986-Thomas Denney, 1991-Ted Doyle, 1999-Allen Waid, 2005-Gary Griffith, 2010-Donald Lear, 2014-Robert Rice, 2015 to present-Marshall Malone.
Information given by Effie Todd Taylor – March 24, 2022

New Hope First Church of God