Pisgah's Past 1806 - 2006
Pisgah Presbyterian Church Celebrates
Bicentennial June 11, 2006

To all students of the Bible, the name Pisgah immediately brings to mind that mountain range, east of the Jordan, from which the Lord allowed Moses to view the promised land. To those who live in Central Kentucky the vine covered church in Woodford county, organized in 1784, is always thought of when Pisgah is mentioned. To those living in Western Kentucky there is a small Presbyterian Church in Crittenden County known as Pisgah. To any one who has ever lived in Pulaski County, Pisgah means the church two miles north of Lake Cumberland — one-fourth mile west of U.S. 27.

Why all of these early churches in Kentucky should have been given the same name is not known except that they were each situated on a hill and therefore brought to the mind of the early settler the name of Mt. Pisgah.

Although the pioneer religion in Kentucky was the Baptist, the Presbyterian faith had been early carried to this region by many frontiersmen from Virginia. In 1783, Rev. David Rice came across the mountains and immediately began gathering the scattered Presbyterians into regular congregations. He was followed by Adam Ranking, James Crawford, Thomas Craighead and Andrew McClure, who in a few years had succeeded in organizing thirteen churches. The Presbytery of Transylvania was organized and met for the first time at Danville on October 17, 1786.

The roots of Pisgah Presbyterian Church are documented back to the original band of loyal Presbyterians first gathered together by Jos. Witherspoon in 1806 in Monticello, KY. Information indicates the early membership of Pisgah numbered around 63 all of whom, except 15, were from the remains of the original Monticello Church. This group of Presbyterians suffered through difficult times while establishing a church, as life in those early frontier days was challenging. Through their sacrifices and diligence, beginning in 1806 with Joseph Witherspoon and until 1828 when these original 48 or so Presbyterians arrived in Somerset from Monticello, a Church was built. As a church is, in actuality, the people, it is with pride that we look back and celebrate these original pioneers and their endeavors and give thanks for their strength and wisdom and the gifts they left behind. Through the difficult and trying times of the early days of this country these loyal and faithful Presbyterians were able to leave their footprints on the lives of those today who cross through the doors of Pisgah Presbyterian Church. To ignore the efforts of these early brave men and women, the pioneers who laid the foundation of this church and paved the way for the many souls to be born, live their lives and then be buried in the cemetery, would be a great disservice. We hope everyone joins with Pisgah in paying tribute to those who have gone before us.

A brick building was constructed in 1828, on the farm of Richard Goggin and was originally named Pulaski Presbyterian Church as a temporary name until the name Pisgah Presbyterian Church was chosen. It has been ascertained that school was held at Pisgah beginning sometime around 1850. It is also noted that during the Civil War the Church was used as a hospital for both the North and the South. Church services were suspended for some time during the war. Many members of Pisgah lived five miles away in Somerset and a daughter church was organized in 1861 at Somerset. The two churches operated as a joint church sharing a pastor and financial matters until 1888 when the Somerset Church filed a petition to the Presbytery to organize a separate church although the two churches continued to share a pastor for many years. Today, that church is First Presbyterian Church of Somerset.

On March 21, 1913, a cyclone completely destroyed the Pisgah Church building; the walls falling in such a way that the pulpit and Bible were undisturbed leaving the Bible open to the passage used for the past Sunday sermon. The morning after the storm the people gathered at the home of B. T. Goggin for a prayer service and by March 30, a committee had been formed and on May 24, 1914, the new building was dedicated. The brick used for the repaired church was fired from clay dug from the area where the Community Building stands today. The hole left from removing the clay for bricks to rebuild the church was used as the basement. Construction on the new Community Building began in the late 1930's but the project was put on hold when WW II broke out and was not completed until after the war ended. Many of the young men in the community helping with the construction were called to serve their country. The structure was appropriately named as it was built to serve the Pisgah Community in addition to Pisgah Presbyterian Church. A full kitchen was built in the basement and the ladies of the church prepared luncheons for local businesses and organizations to raise money to pay for the building.

In 2000 the church purchased the old Pisgah two room schoolhouse and began restoration the following year. The restoration of the old school was supported by the Pisgah Community as well as many local businesses and individuals around the community. The plan for this restoration was to follow the intent of the Community Building which is to serve the community. The Old Pisgah Schoolhouse is a popular gathering place for family reunions, wedding receptions, weddings, showers, concerts, plays, club meetings and just good times. A bandstand was completed in July of 2005 and outdoor concerts are performed by local musical groups. A book compiled by Carol Skaggs, Pisgah's Past, a History of Pisgah Presbyterian Church 1806 - 2006, has been written in honor of this very important Bicentennial anniversary of the church and copies will be available by calling Pisgah Presbyterian Church at 606­679­4310 or Ms. Skaggs at 606­677­2906.

A new beginning for Pisgah Presbyterian Church is the arrival of Reverend Gerald "Rusty" Butler as Pastor just in time for the Bicentennial Homecoming celebration. For the past 200 years Pisgah has persevered through disasters and controversies to emerge ever stronger today. We pray that 200 years from now Pisgah will continue to provide spiritual and divine guidance to those who seek it.

Pisgah Presbyterian Church

Some remember the days when people came in horse drawn wagons from miles away to join Pisgah in the Homecoming celebration. Tables under the large shade trees were piled high with delicious food and many people stayed overnight with friends in the community. Homecoming has been held for as long as anyone can remember and again this year Pisgah has invited all their friends in the community and family of those connected to the Church to come and participate in the potluck immediately following the Church service. It was a pleasure seeing many old friends and new faces this June 11^th helping celebrate 200 years of serving our Lord.