Richmond in Madison County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
White Oak Pond Church
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 21, 2013
1. Side 1 - White Oak Pond Church Marker
Original log church built here by 1790 became worship and community center for settlement of Milford, first county seat. Named for early minister J. R. Pond, church joined Tates Creek Baptist Assoc. in 1802. In the Civil War, J. R. Pond's nephew, Lt. Col. John Griffin Pond, fought for the Union, then later led forces against Ku Klux Klan. Presented by C.Y.F. Youth in memory of Bill Whitaker, Jr.
Reverse
In 1827, county's first temperance society began here, where Nancy Irvine delivered first temperance talk for women in Kentucky and perhaps America. White Oak Pond and others joined Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) revival movement, 1830. In 1869, log church was disassembled and its hand-hewn timbers used to build present Greek Revival structure.
Erected 1996 by Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1979.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1790.
Location. 37° 44.216′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Milford, 1st Seat of Madison County (here, next to this marker); Grave of Hancock Taylor (approx. 1.6 miles away); Christopher (Kit) Carson (approx. 1.7 miles away); Kit Carson-Legend of the Old West (approx. 1.8 miles away); Eastern Kentucky Univ. (approx. 2 miles away); Angels of the Battlefield (approx. 2.1 miles away); Gov. James B. McCreary
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 21, 2013
2. Side 2 - White Oak Pond Church Marker
More about this marker. The marker was moved in 2019.
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 21, 2013
3. White Oak Pond Church Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 21, 2013
4. White Oak Pond Church Marker
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 24, 2012
5. White Oak Pond Church Marker
looking west along Barnes Mill Road (KY876).
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 24, 2012
6. White Oak Pond Church
Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 24, 2012
7. White Oak Pond Church & cemetery
Photographed by Emily Bailey, May 21, 2025
8. White Oak Pond Church Marker
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 16, 2025
9. White Oak Pond Church Marker
View is looking north with updated surroundings. Marker is in the rear of the two.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 920 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on May 22, 2025, by Emily Bailey of Richmond, Kentucky. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 17, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 15, 2014, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 8. submitted on May 22, 2025, by Emily Bailey of Richmond, Kentucky. 9. submitted on October 19, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
