Mission and History

We are followers of Jesus Christ, committed to believe, live, proclaim and share His message so that lives will be transformed by Him.

Objectives

History and Heritage of Graefenburg Baptist

In the summer of 1868, just three years following the end of the Civil War, America’s bloodiest encounter in which “brother fought against brother”, a group met to consider the founding of a Baptist church in our little village, then called Hardinsville. The congregation began with nineteen charter members and was known as Hardinsville Baptist Church until 1930. At that time the community’s name was changed to Graefenburg because Kentucky had a town in Breckinridge County called Hardinsburg. It seems the U.S. Post Office was getting the mail mixed up with the Breckinridge County town.

The congregation’s first house of worship, located down next to the creek, was dedicated in December 1872. Ten years later we joined the Shelby County Baptist Association and in 1887 began our first Sunday School.

The building was raised a second time in 1906 due to high water in the creek. Early in the 1900’s, Woman’s Missionary Union was started.

Motivated by flooding as well as increased attendance, a one-acre lot across from the Christian Church was purchased in 1911. The church’s second house of worship was completed by December and the debt paid three years later. Two Sunday School rooms were added and a parsonage built in the early 1930’s. About ten years after that, a basement was dug out beneath the sanctuary for more classrooms, a furnace was installed and some remodeling took place upstairs including the installation of a baptistry.

The deacons recommended, in the mid 1950’s, that a new church building be erected. The first Sunday of each month was designated as Building Fund Sunday. Five and one-half acres on U.S. 60 were bought for $1,500.00. In late 1956 a contract was let for the educational building; the cost was $56,000.00.

Our present house of worship was constructed in 1961 for $57,000.00. The first service took place in October and we got new pews almost a year later. The last structure built was the present parsonage, in the mid 1960’s, presently used as our office building. The former parsonage, on what is now known as Graefenburg Road, was sold.

On August 17, 2003, we held a 135th Anniversary celebration at the Heritage Elementary School.

In 2006 our church has its 48th pastor, provision for a full staff and a devoted, growing membership. Today it is known for a strong emphasis upon the Bible; a splendid music program; generosity toward mission causes, including the sponsorship of the Jim & Carol D’Arcy family in missionary training; special care of the homebound; fine youth ministry and a welcoming spirit toward anyone and everyone.

Presently, we are in another building program with plans to build a multi-purpose building to provide much needed educational space and community mission’s opportunities.

Graefenburg Baptist Church looks forward to a bright and exciting future of growth (physically and spiritually) and opportunities to minister to others.

PASTORS

Interim Pastors