Register staff report
RICHMOND —
In 1785, when the predecessor to Tates Creek Baptist Church was organized, Revolutionary War hostilities had ceased only four years earlier.
“There were no busy highways, only trails for horses and wagons,” wrote Betty Brandenburg, church clerk. “There also was no electricity and the many other modern conveniences we take for granted.”
And, Kentucky was still a part of Virginia.
Despite the difficulties of the frontier — Fort Boonesborough withstood a siege only seven years earlier — a group of hardy settlers formed a church that today is known as Tates Creek Baptist, Brandenburg said.
On Sunday, Aug. 29, the church at 1255 Boonesborough Road will celebrate its 225th anniversary with a traditional homecoming, potluck dinner and a special afternoon service. Activities will begin with Sunday school at 10 a.m. followed by the 11 a.m. worship service, meal and 2 p.m. service that will focus on Past, Present and Future.
Dr. Jerry Huffman is the pastor.
The church’s first building was located near the intersection of Tates Creek and Shallowford roads. The stone structure burned in 1850. A new, brick building was erected the following year on Boonesborough Road, and it still stands.
“Many things have changed in the 225 years our church was founded,” Brandenburg said, “but God’s word and the mission of Tates Creek Baptist Church to bring the gospel to our community and to the world remain the same.”
Edith Ratliff is the church’s historian.
