Today the Long Run Baptist Association of Kentucky meets, an association that includes the city of Louisville, located across the Ohio River from the Union state of Indiana. Kentucky is a border state now solidly under Union control.
News summaries from individual churches largely focus on internal matters, and are reported as follows:
Elk Creek. — Has “great reason to be thankful for the entire peace harmony and brotherly love that exists in our church. Brother W. G. Hobbs preaches regularly to us on the second Sabbath, and Saturday preceding; in each month to large and attentive congregations.”
Long Run . — Rev. W. E. Powers preaches once a month to this church on the first Sabbath, and Saturday preceding. They are in the enjoyment of peace and prosperity.
Buck Creek. — This church has monthly preaching by Rev. T. M. Vaughan, on the first Sabbath in each month, and day preceding. The brethren are peaceful and happy.
Kings. — That venerable man of God, Rev. W. P. Barnett, has his membership with the church at King’s, and preaches there once a month, on the second Sabbath, and day preceding. He protracted his August meeting, aided by brothers Hopewell, Thomas and Powers. Some of the results of this meeting appear in the Statistical table. The church seems to be in a healthy condition.
Burk’s Branch. — This church enjoys the pastoral labors of Rev. A. B. Knight. He preaches for them twice each month, the second and fourth Sabbaths. The church is “living in peace and harmony,” and “has a Sunday-school tolerably well attended.”
Little Mount. — Has “had some little difficulty,” but “hopes that it has passed off without any damage to the cause of Christ.” Congregations are large, and enjoy the services of Rev. B. F. Hungerford on the first Saturday and Sunday in each month.
Shelbyville. — Rev. S. F. Thompson is still the pastor. “We are doing something towards sustaining the Missionaries of the Southern Board of Foreign Missions. Sabbath-school respectable is size, and the brethren and sisters labor, with a commendable zeal in the good cause, and will doubtless receive their reward.
Floyd’s Fork. — Rev. W. G. Hobbs preaches to this church on the fourth Saturday and Sabbath in each month. “The church is in a healthy condition.”
Taylorsville. — This church has no cheering news to communicate, but is at peace, and “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace.” Rev. J. M. Weaver has his membership with this church, and preaches to it two Sabbaths in each month.
Plum Creek. — Rev. J. M. Weaver preaches to this church on the first Lord’s day in each month, and day preceding. The church is at peace, but complains of lukewarmness.
Simpsonsville. — Rev. T. M. Vaughan is the pastor of this church, and has his membership with it. They speak of the ill effects of the existing National difficulties upon their religious progress. Brother V. preaches regularly on the second and fourth Sabbaths in each month.
East Church, Louisville. — Rev. R. M. Dudley is the pastor, and devotes his entire energies to the interests of the church. They have recently paid a large portion of the indebtedness contracted in the erection of their beautiful and commodious house of worship, and hope to be able to meet the remainder of their debt, (less than $1,000) when due in 1865. They have a Sabbath-school, and take a lively interest in all the benevolent operations of the day. [p. 7]
Cedar Creek. — Rev. J. T. Hoke preaches once a month. They have a Sabbath-school numbering sixty scholars.
Jeffersontown. — Rev. W. E. Powers preaches to this church the fourth Sunday and day previous, in each month. Are at peace, and are considered as advancing in the Heavenly race.
Clay Village. — This church is without a pastor, but has the occasional ministrations of Rev. Francis Jordan, a licentiate. The members, are praying and laboring for a better state of things among them.
Little Flock. – Rev. Dr. J. A. Ireland has his membership here, and preaches for the church on the first Saturday and Sunday in each month. Brothers Powers and Baker assisted the pastor recently in a protracted meeting, some of the results of which may be seen by reference to the Statistical Table. They have a flourishing Sunday-school.
Walnut Street, Louisville. — This church enjoys the pastoral labors of Rev. G. C. Lorimer, and under his faithful ministrations, during the past two years, has been greatly prospered, a large debt has been paid off. They have a large and flourishing Sunday-school, and take a lively interest in whatever tends to advance the general interests of the Redeemer’s kingdom. This church gives special attention to the German Mission in the city, and has recently relieved the church at Portland of an embarrassing debt.
Jefferson Street, Louisville. — Rev. A. C. Graves has recently become the paator, and is meeting with encouraging success in his labors. This church has the largest Sunday-school in the city, and many other evidences of prosperity are apparent
German, Louisville. — Rev. G. Tecklenberg is the pastor of this church. Letters have been given to nine of the members to form a new church. They speak of the expulsion of five of their number for want of godliness. The interest of vital religion, seems to be gradually improving with this small and feeble band of disciples, and their condition appeals powerfully to the sympathies and prayers of their brethren every where.
Portland. — Rev. J. B. English has recently commenced laboring with this church, with some hopeful prospects. They have an interesting Sabbath-school.
First Colored, Louisville. — This is, perhaps, the largest church in Kentucky, numbering near one thousand members. Rev. H. Adams is pastor. They have a large and flourishing Sabbath-school, and pastor and church are laboring faithfully in advancing the spiritual interest of the colored people in the city.
Green Street, Colored, Louisville. — Rev. B. Sucthen is pastor of this church. He enjoys the confidence of his congregation, the aflairs of which seem to flourish under his administration. They have a Sunday-school.
Beechland.. — This is a new church recently established by brother Powers while acting as Missionary of this body. It is located in a prosperous and important region of country, and is exercising a beneficial influence on the surrounding community. Brother P. is their pastor.
Knob Creek. — This is another new interest, the result of the Missionary labors of brother Powers. They speak of many obstacles they have had to overcome, but that “The Lord has abundantly blessed them,” and that a zeal is manifested among the brethren.” “The Baptists have the ascendancy in their region, and if they don’t keep it, it will be their own fault.” Rev. J. T. Hoke is their pastor, to whom they are able to afford only a partial remuneration for his labors.
West Point. — This church was constituted by fourteen members, on the 20th of August, 1863, by Rev. J. T. Hoke, whom the church chose aa pastor. The church adopted the Articles of Faith, found in the “Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge.” A wide field is spread out before this church, and hopeful evidences of their capacity under God to cultivate it are apparent.
York Street, Colored, Louisville. — Rev. Broady is the pastor of this church, and is regarded as doing a good work. They have a Sunday-school, speak of peace among themselves, and hope for better times.
Although only one church (Simpsonville) mentions the war, most likely all of the reporting congregations have been directly affected by the great conflict, if for no other reason than having male members in the service of either the United States or Confederate States.
Source: Long Run Baptist Association (KY) Abstract of Church Letters, 1863 (link); special thanks for Jim Duvall for this entry
