Near Lancaster in Garrard County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
The Traveling Church
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, April 20, 2021
1. The Traveling Church Monument
On this site in 1781 Pastor Lewis Craig and Capt. Wm. Ellis and members of the Upper Spotsylvania Virginia Baptist Church established the first church west of the Alleghany Mountains, which is known as the Traveling Church
Erected 1947 by Lancaster Baptist Church. (Marker Number 25.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1781.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 34.677′ N, 84° 33.523′ W. Marker was near Lancaster, Kentucky, in Garrard County. It could be reached from the intersection of Gilberts Creek Road (Kentucky Route 39) and Lancaster-Crab Orchard Road ( Route 642), on the left when traveling north. The marker was a few miles NW from the church. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 69 Gilberts Creek Rd, Lancaster KY 40444, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
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
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Traveling Church (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
More about this marker. The marker has been missing since at least 2021. A cousin saw it laying on the ground in 2020. KY Historical Society is aware.
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, April 20, 2021
2. The Traveling Church Monument
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, April 20, 2021
3. The Traveling Church Monument
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, April 20, 2021
4. The Present Gilbert Creek Baptist Church
The marker can be found through the gap at the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 897 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on August 8, 2024, by Frances Sanders of Jonesborough, Tennessee. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 13, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
