Elizabethtown in Hardin County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

First Presbyterian Church

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

1. First Presbyterian Church Marker

Inscription.
This property has been
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
by the United States
Department of the Interior

Erected 1988 by City of Elizabethtown.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 37° 41.657′ N, 85° 51.617′ W. Marker is in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, in Hardin County. It is at the intersection of West Dixie Avenue and Cresap Court, on the left when traveling west on West Dixie Avenue. The marker is currently occupied by the Kentucky High School Basketball Hall of Fame. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 212 West Dixie Avenue, Elizabethtown KY 42701, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what

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was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Civil Rights (a few steps from this marker); The Military Presence (a few steps from this marker); Medicine (within shouting distance of this marker); Industry (within shouting distance of this marker); Education (within shouting distance of this marker); Post Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker); Lincoln (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Elizabethtown.

Regarding First Presbyterian Church. (NRHP #88001802)
Statement of Significance:
The First Presbyterian Church is a notable example of a late 19th century Romanesque Revival style church. The Presbyterian congregation was formed in 1829 and they built the original portion of this church in 1835. The congregation split in the Civil War over the slavery issue with some members forming the Second Presbyterian Church, now known as Embry Chapel (HDE-24). In 1896, the church received a new facade

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

2. First Presbyterian Church Marker

and bell tower in the Romanesque style. This remodeling resulted in one of the few examples of the Romanesque style in the county with its rounded arched doors and windows on the main facade and prominent bell tower. Since the 1896 remodeling few other changes have occurred to the church and it retains its original character.

Also see . . .
1. First Presbyterian Church (Elizabethtown, Kentucky). Wikipedia entry:
Links to National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form (Submitted on August 16, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. First Presbyterian Church (Elizabethtown, Kentucky). Alchetron website entry (Submitted on August 9, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

First Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Wikimedia Commons

3. First Presbyterian Church

Hardin County Historical Society image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

4. Hardin County Historical Society

A Kentucky Landmark

Photographed by Brandon D Cross

5. First Presbyterian Church

Met Here
1835 - 1993

Credits. This page was last revised on July 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 529 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 9, 2024, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.