A quiet pillar standing tall since the very start of Kentucky
The Falmouth Baptist Church, originally called The Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at the Forks of the Licking, was founded in 1792, the same year Kentucky became a state. Fifteen faithful believers broke away from Bryan Station in Lexington, not because of politics or a falling out, but because traveling 60 miles through the wild frontier just to worship was dangerous and near impossible. So they planted their roots right here, where the Main and South Licking Rivers come together.
Their first pastor, Alexander Monroe, served faithfully for over 30 years and left a lasting foundation that still echoes today.
Building Faith, One Stone at a Time
In the early years, they met in a log structure near Point Pleasant, then moved to a brick building out on Burns Branch. By 1820, they were meeting in the Old Seminary Building, and then by 1854, a new church building was dedicated on Fourth and Chapel Streets, where the congregation began to grow fast and steady. In 1873, they officially took on the name Falmouth Baptist Church.
The Great Depression & The Bricks That Built It
By 1929, the church had outgrown its space again and despite the rumblings of financial trouble in the country, the congregation pushed forward to build the current church at Fourth Street and Maple Avenue. But the Depression hit hard. The congregation got creative. They sold individual bricks to raise money, one by one, neighbors, friends, and families contributed to make sure the new house of worship would rise. Even with the economy in shambles and savings lost when the Pendleton Bank went under (returning just 25 cents on the dollar), they didn’t give up. They sold their old church building for $1,250 and shouldered a debt load that was heavier than they planned but they stayed the course. That building, dedicated in February 1930, still stands strong today.
Through Fire, Flood, and Fellowship
They’ve weathered it all. Floodwaters in 1964 and 1997 caused major damage, but the church didn’t close its doors. When others needed help, they were right there, serving food to relief workers, offering a place to rest, and proving once again that this church isn’t just about sermons, it’s about showing up for your neighbor.
Music, Missions, and Making a Difference
Music has always had a heartbeat here, from the old pump organ, to a baby grand piano donated in 1936, and finally to the current organ purchased in 1940, which still fills the sanctuary with warmth and reverence. Sunday school once drew nearly 500 attendees back in 1859, and the Ladies’ Aid Society helped build, repair, fundraise, and serve the community for decades, right up until 1983. This church has sent missionaries, helped the poor, and walked hand in hand with the people of Falmouth through every season.
Still Standing, Still Serving
Today, Falmouth Baptist Church continues on. Tucked in a quiet corner of town, it offers Sunday School, worship, and fellowship, connected to both the Kentucky Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention.
It’s more than just a building of bricks, it’s a story of faith, perseverance, and love passed down through generations. From 1792 to now, through wars, depressions, and disasters, they’ve never stopped showing up.