Community News
Friday, July 3, 2015 — The community of Cedar Creek, located a few miles west of Bardstown, has no post office, grocery store, or town hall. The meeting place it does have is The First Cedar Creek Baptist Church, the second oldest church of any denomination west of the Allegheny Mountains.
When the church was constituted on July 4, 1781, there was no state of Kentucky and no Nelson County. At that time both areas were part of Jefferson County, Virginia. Four years after Cedar Creek church was constituted, Nelson County was carved out of Jefferson County, Virginia. Seven years later, in 1792, Kentucky was formed from Jefferson, Lincoln, and Fayette Counties of Virginia and was admitted to the Union as her fifteenth state.
The third and current meeting place for Cedar Creek Baptist Church was built in 1854. The church cemetery separates the sanctuary from the educational building which was built almost 100 years later. The Cedar Creek Baptist Church property extends ten acres behind the buildings and ten acres across Bellwood Road in front of the buildings.
When filing for incorporation in 1965, church leaders discovered that the Cedar Creek Baptist Church in Louisville had already incorporated with the same name, so Cedar Creek Baptist Church in Bardstown chose to become “The First” Cedar Creek Baptist Church.
This Southern Baptist church has approximately 500 current members who have come into her membership by acknowledging faith in Jesus Christ and following His example of baptism by immersion. About 100 of these are considered active members with the oldest man being John Call, who has spent his 94 years living in Cedar Creek. The oldest woman member is Lucille Keeling, also 94, who moved to the area while a senior at Bardstown High School.
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you…; plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.
The First Cedar Creek Baptist Church has stood strong in the Lord for 234 years. “To God Be the Glory!”
All are invited to worship the Lord and celebrate His church’s birthday this Sunday, July 5, 2015 at the 11:00am worship service, the 12:30pm fellowship meal, and the 2:00pm service.
The First Cedar Creek Baptist Church is located 5 miles west of Bardstown off Boston Road (Hwy 62) at 754 Bellwood Road (Hwy 733). For more information, call 502-507-7159.
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