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Gratz Park in Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
 

First Presbyterian Church

 
 
First Presbyterian Church Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ken Smith, September 1, 2012
1. First Presbyterian Church Marker
Inscription. (obverse)
Founded 1784. Oldest congregation in continuous existence in city. Founders were hunting party members who selected city’s site and named it Lexington in honor of first battle of the American Revolution. First pastor Adam Rankin’s home, oldest house in Lexington at 317 South Mill St., built in 1784. Over

(reverse)
Abraham Lincoln attended several services during the pastorate of Robert J. Breckinridge, 1847-53, initiating a lifelong friendship. This building, sixth home of the congregation, designed by Elder Cincinnatus Shryock, completed in 1872. It was considered his Gothic masterpiece. Renovated in 2007; received preservation award.
 
Erected 2008 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2277.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious StructuresSettlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.
 
Location. 38° 2.965′ N, 84° 29.82′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. It is in Gratz Park. It is on North Mill Street 0.1 miles south of West 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south
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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 174 N Mill St, Lexington KY 40507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region. It is also 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 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: Henry Clay's Law Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Taking Politician Henry Clay to Court 1829 (within shouting distance of this marker); Christ Church Cathedral (within shouting distance of this marker); Lexington Public Library 1905 - 1989 / A Carnegie Library (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Samuel Brown, M.D. (1769 - 1830) (about 300 feet away); Morgan House (about 300 feet away); Hunt-Morgan House (about 400 feet away); Silversmith Shop (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.
 
First Presbyterian Church Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ken Smith, September 1, 2012
2. First Presbyterian Church Marker
First Presbyterian Church Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ken Smith, September 1, 2012
3. First Presbyterian Church Marker
First Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Ken Smith, September 1, 2012
4. First Presbyterian Church
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 764 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 4, 2012, by Ken Smith of Milan, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 10, 2026