an initiative of the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau
by Amos Jones with Elizabeth Lawson

Churches are more than buildings.  They are monuments to religious freedom and monuments to expressions of worship.  For African Americans, the church has historically served as the hub of spiritual, social, and political life.   Lexington is home to some of the oldest African American congregations in the United States, with six predating the Emancipation Proclamation:

East Second Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) .
Among the oldest African American congregations in the one-million member Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denomination, this church was founded in 1851 and pastored by Alexander Campbell. The church is still worshipping at 146 Constitution Street in the Constitution historic district north of downtown Lexington. The sacrament of Holy Communion is served every Sunday, consistent with demoninational practice.
Pastor: Rev. Don Gillett. Sunday services at  8:30am and 11 am.
(859) 254-0675

First African Baptist Church .

This church traces its founding to 1790 through an 1820 split in the African Baptist Church. The church relocated from its historical Short Street site in 1987 to a new edifice at 465 Price Road where it has built one of the city's finest pipe organs.
Pastor: Rev. Dr. L. Haley McIntyre. Sunday services at 11am.
(859) 252-7191

Main Street Baptist Church . 

Founded in 1862, this congregation was the outcome of political disagreements over the Civil War within the First Baptist Church (African American). Founded as the Independent Baptist church, Main Street was organized on property owned by Mary Todd, who married Abraham Lincoln.   The church still worships on its 582 West Main Street property, next door  to The Mary Todd Lincoln House.
Pastor: Elder Dennis Joseph Ward. Sunday services at 11am and 6:15 pm
(859) 252-3838

Pleasant Green Baptist Church .
 
Originally African Baptist Church, Pleasant Green was founded in 1790 and has worshipped at 540 West Maxwell street in downtown Lexington since 1822. An official state historical marker outlines Pleasant Green's status as the oldest African American church west of the Allegheny Mountains. The church was the hub of the Civil Rights Movement in Lexington.
Pastor: Rev. Thomas H. Peoples, Jr. Sunday services at 10:45am
(859) 254-7387

St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church .

Founded in 1820, this church erected its sanctuary at 251 North Upper Street in 1826. The brick building is the oldest existing house of worship in Lexington and has undergone four major expansions and renovations.
Pastor: Rev. Kenneth Paris. Sunday services at 11am
(859) 255-7945

Wesley United Methodist Church .
   
 Organized by 30 African Americans as Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church in 1837,  the congregation grew to include more members than it could accommodate. Part of the congregation reorganized as Gunn Tabernacle. After re-merger in 1963, the congregation chose the name Wesley and now worships in an edifice constructed in 1990 at 1825 Russell Cave Road.
Interim Pastor: Kenneth Cummings. Sunday services at 8:30 am and 10:45 am
(859) 293-5873

For more information about this initiative by the Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau, call 800-848-1224

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