The congregation of the Greater Liberty Baptist Church dates to around 1882, when several members of the Main Street Baptist Church, an African American church founded in 1862, left to form their own church. The new congregation built a church on Corral Street, but as the church membership swelled, the church moved again and again.
The church, with the original portion on left, and a mid-20th century addition on the right.
In 1925, the congregation purchased their current home, the former West Chestnut Street Christian Church, in Lexington’s East End Neighborhood. The existing brick building the church bought was built in 1889, a three bay, front gable structure with a two-story corner tower.
A section of the 1907 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map showing the church.
The double door entrances on either side of the facade flank a handsome round arched double window.
Detail of the facade.
A smaller three-part version of this large window lights the eave of the gable. The masonry walls have received several coats of paint, but save for some brick corbelling, the facade is fairly unadorned – but lovely in its simplicity.
Side elevation and facade.
Round arched windows, separated by brick pilasters, pierce the side elevations of the sanctuary. A two-story, three bay wide concrete block addition (probably from the 1950s-1960s) extends to the southeast of the historic core of the building.
The church is the most imposing building on the street of mostly one-story frame and brick dwellings, and on a cloudy winter day, it made for a striking sight.
Really enjoy reading your columns on KY architectural history. Interesting that church building existed in 1889. The round arched window on the facade is impressive against the brick walls. Thank you for sharing the info.
By the way, as someone who is desperately attempting to grow native plants in Bowling Green, I find your gardening info helpful. Thank you!