The Traveling Church
1781
In search of religious freedom, the Reverend Lewis Craig led his entire congregation of 200 Baptists and 400 other settlers from Spotsylvania County Virginia and established them here on Gilbert's Creek.
This expedition, guided through the wilderness by Captain William Ellis, was the largest group of pioneers ever to enter the District of Kentucky in a single body.
Erected 1947 by National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. (Marker Number 25.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Colonial Dames of America, National Society of series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 37° 34.675′ N, 84° 33.506′ W. Marker was near Lancaster, Kentucky, in Garrard County. It was at the intersection of Lancaster Road (Kentucky Route 39) and Gilbert Creek Road ( Route 642), on the right when traveling south on Lancaster Road. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal
Regionally, this marker was in Kentucky’s The Knobs. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: The Traveling Church, 1781 (a few steps from this marker); Pleasant Retreat (approx. 2½ miles away); Lancaster Civil War Memorial (approx. 2.8 miles away); Garrard County Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.1 miles away); Garrard County, 1797 (approx. 3.1 miles away); Captain William Early Buford (approx. 3.1 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 3.1 miles away); Buford-Salter House (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lancaster.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Traveling Church (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 754 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.


