Goshen Primitive Baptist Church, Clark County, Kentucky

Small rural churches are a dying breed across Kentucky, and many parts of America. When congregations dwindle or services cease, the building often follows suit. I’ve recorded many abandoned frame churches across the Commonwealth, so it’s always a delight to find a rural church that appears to still be in use – and better yet, is built of brick, which can (but not always) weather the passage of time better than its frame brethren.

The congregation first associated with the Goshen Primitive Baptist Church organized in either 1792 or 1797 – my sources disagreed. According to the 1797 source, the church was founded on January 14 of that year by Elders Ambrose Dudley and Donald Holmes, at the home of William Payne. There were fifty-nine charter members.

Over the years, the following pastors have served this country church:  Elders Thomas Boone (until his death in 1855), James Edmonson, William Rupard (1856-1904), J. W. Anderson (1904-1910), J. M. Culton (1910-1920), W. L. Kash (1921-1952), Robert Shockley (1952-1975), and Edward Reed (1975 to unknown date).

The church building dates from around 1850, and is relatively plain – some would say severe – with a lack of exterior ornamentation. Two rounded arched openings on the facade hold double doors, while the long sides (east and west elevations) are pierced by four arched windows, containing 9/6 double-hung sash windows.

I think the windows make up for any dearth of architectural detail on the church. They are gorgeous in their simplicity. (The original wooden shutters are also noteworthy.)

Interestingly, the 1979 survey form for the church (which is actually listed in the National Register of Historic Places) mentions a corbelled cornice – which is nowhere in sight. Either that was a misstatement or the church has had some unfortunate modifications. There are cornice returns, but I could not spy any corbelling…

The front gable, two bay wide (in this case, with two separate doors) Greek Revival style brick church is found across Kentucky from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century.

While some denominations may indeed have used the two doors to segregate the sexes historically – the real answer may be more prosaic – the fenestration of a building is often a clue to the interior layout and plan. Two doors? Each door opens onto an aisle, providing an efficient means of entry and egress from the sanctuary.

The Providence Church (seen above) has suffered some less than attractive alterations, but the basic form remains intact. The Gothic Revival stonework around the entry doors is a later addition, but the brick pilasters across the facade are original.

A more straightforward Greek Revival interpretation is found at Mt. Zion Church outside of Richmond, Kentucky (above). The double doors have typical Greek Ear trim, and a heavy cornice with dentils separates the gable from the main body of the facade.

The Ghent Baptist Church in Ghent, Carroll County, Kentucky (above photo) dates from around 1843. The simple facade, with two entry doors, fades into the background underneath the imposing engaged front gable portico with its four columns.

There wasn’t anyone about when I stopped to look at the Goshen Church, but some cattle, who were supremely uninterested in my architectural musings. I hope the next time I detour down Goshen Road the scene will still look the same.