Dennis Partridge

Hopkinsville Christian Church

The following sketch of the Christian Church in Hopkinsville was compiled from the history of that church written by Col. George Poindexter: The Christian Church was organized in Hopkinsville in November, 1832. Previous to this an open rupture had taken place between those who sympathized with Alexander Campbell in his reformatory movements, and the Baptist Church in Kentucky. This rupture led to much warm contention and strife throughout the State, which, with the action of the Bethel Baptist Association held in Hopkinsville a short time previous, led to and hastened the formation of this church. Three persons who withdrew from … Read more

History of Christian County, Kentucky Press

The history of the newspaper press in Christian County is a reflection of America’s commitment to a free press, unshackled by government, celebrated for its contribution to liberty and enlightenment. From the pioneer editor of the Kentucky Republican in 1820 to the thriving Kentucky New Era and South Kentuckian, the county’s press has been a bastion of information, opinion, and culture, adapting from six-week-old foreign news to today’s immediate reporting needs. The press has been an educator and beacon, especially in the rugged landscape of local politics. Yet, the industry’s journey has also seen papers come and go—shaped by political shifts, the challenges of the times, and the relentless march of progress, leaving a trail of defunct titles and testament to the resilience required to inform and engage the public in a free society.

History of Christian County, Kentucky Railroads

The first effort to build a railroad in Christian County of which we have any account was made about the year 1832. At this time, the Legislature having made an appropriation for the purpose, Messrs. Chinn and Jouette, of Lexington, made a preliminary survey for a rail-road from Hopkinsville to Eddyville, on the Cumberland River. A final survey was afterward made by Mr. Letcher, of the same place. Maj. John P. Campbell, Jr., then a youth, acted as a chain-carrier, but beyond this nothing further was done. The company failed to organize as required under the charter, and the project … Read more

History of Christian County, Kentucky Religion

The subject of Christianity occupies a conspicuous place in the history of every enlightened community, and it is to the credit of our ancestors that they were a God-fearing people. Criminals and fugitives from justice, who hover on the confines of civilization, where there is no law to restrain or govern, except that public judgment that is crystallized into a resistless force, flee before the light that shines from the Star of Bethlehem as the morning mist disappears before the rising sun. As the Cross advances, the rough and the turbulent recede, keeping pace with the frontier posts. They cannot … Read more

History of Christian County, Kentucky Roads

No doubt when John Montgomery and James Davis, the avant-couriers of the present civilization of Christian County, first stood upon the wooded heights and looked out on the broad expanse of barren or prairie land that spread out to the east and south at their feet, they were so entranced by its quiet loveliness as then and there to decide upon its adoption as their future home. A vast plain rising and falling in gentle undulations, and covered with a luxuriant growth of grass, stretched out on either hand, reaching into the dim distance till lost in the blue haze … Read more

History of Christian County, Kentucky

It seems almost incredible to us now that little more than a hundred years ago Kentucky, with her 37,680 square miles and her 117 counties, formed but a part of an individual county; yet such is a fact of history. In 1775, when the original thirteen colonies revolted, and cast off the yoke of the mother country, the territory now embraced in the State of Kentucky constituted a part of Fincastle County, Va., which, on the 31st of December 1776, was divided into three counties, and of which Kentucky formed one county of the Old Dominion. In 1781, Kentucky County … Read more

History of Christian County

This science is the great source of our prosperity, and is a subject in which we are all interested. It is the parent of all other industries, and as such claims precedence. From it have gone forth the brawn and brain that have subdued the earth, built cities, chained the lightning, linked the continents, and made all mankind akin. All thriving interests, all prosperous industries, and all trades and professions, receive their means of support either directly or indirectly from agriculture. It is there-fore by right of primogeniture and paramount importance the most indispensable of all other industries. Its progress … Read more

History of Christian County, Kentucky Education

No question is of such vital importance to the people as that of education. Nothing for which the State pays money yields so large a dividend upon the cost as the revenue expended upon the schools. From the humble scene of the teacher’s labors there are shot into the heart of society the great influences that kindle its ardors for activity, which light civilization on its widening way, and which hold the dearest interest of humanity in its hand. The statistics are the smallest exponents of our schools; there are values that cannot be expressed in dollars and cents. In … Read more

History of Casky, Pembroke, and Longview Churches

Among the early adventurers into the wilds of south Christian, doubtless, came many who were professed followers of the meek and lowly Nazarene. and who, before leaving their homes in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and elsewhere, had attached themselves to one or other of the Evangelical churches. It is impossible now to tell which came first, or which at first preponderated, but probably the Baptists were first-that is, the Hard-shells, as there is a tradition of a church of that sect near James Davis’ very early, which is noticed in a preceding chapter. One of the earlier organizations of … Read more

Grace Episcopal Church

The parish of Grace Episcopal Church was organized in October, 1831, at a meeting held by the following persons: Messrs. George Ward, David Glass, M. D., Livingston Lindsay, James D. Steele, M. D., E. A. Green and David Banks, of Christian County. The Rev. George P. Giddings, missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church; Rev. B. B. Smith, of Lexington, afterward Bishop of Kentucky; and the Rev. Gideon McMillan, of Danville, were also present. No record can be found of the original members of the church, but in the parish register, under the date of 1834, we find the names of … Read more