There came a point, during my junior year abroad in college, that I was heartily sick of cathedrals – and the accompanying crowds that went with touring these architectural wonders. While that ennui vanished, I’m still more partial to small, vernacular examples of church architecture. On the way home from Louisville recently, I stopped to admire the late 19th century charm of the Victorian Gothic Methodist Church in Simpsonville, Kentucky – a location that may better be known for the outlet shops on I-64 than the original historic town off of US Highway 60.
Side elevation and façade of the Simpsonville Methodist Church.
The small brick church was built in 1876 for the sum of $7,500.00. It replaced an earlier church, a front gable two-door church that itself was erected in 1840. I don’t know what happened to the first church building, or if the congregation (some 200 members in the late 19th century) had simply outgrown the space and decided to construct a stylish new edifice.
At the time, the church was known as the Methodist Episcopal Church South – the name a signifier of the 19th century schism in the Methodist Episcopal denomination over the issue of slavery. The United Methodist moniker is a more recent change, having not come into being until the 1960s.
Detail of the façade.
The square, projecting entry tower with its steeply pitched cross gables and lancet windows and entry bay on the façade is especially delicious architectural detail. The tower rises in the middle of a one-story, three bay wide entry vestibule.
The brick corbelling at the cornice is also noteworthy, and reminds me of icing dripping down the side of a cake on a hot summer day.
Detail of the slate roof.
While the façade was designed to be eye-catching, no elevation was left untouched – and the polychromatic slate roof and steeple ensure that the architectural appeal of the church extends from top to bottom.
A detail of the entry vestibule.
While a perfect Kentucky spring day set off the historic church building to its best advantage, I was also pleased to learn that the church still has an active congregation. So many small churches across Kentucky have shuttered and closed, not only leaving well-built, beautiful buildings to deteriorate, but also leaving a gap within the fabric of (mostly) rural communities. I’m very glad that this particular example of 19th century ecclesiastical architecture is still being used and maintained.
Janie-Rice Brother what a great find and excellent article. I was so with you on fatigue of cathedral visits. II think my mother took me to every one between London and Yorkshire. The amazing thing is I, too, still love seeing them. The slate roof reminds me of the English Estate house in Bourbon County, just next door tooo the farm we used to own, on Larue Road. I never got tired of admiring it, and like a dummy, I had visions of a home with one, but after research when a new roof was needed on our Lexington home, I gave up the delusion. Your pictures and article brought back so many memories. Thank you
Very good. Reading your description is as good as looking at the building.Wish you would have be able to get inside.
I grew up across from the parsonage of this church. Helped several Ministers move in/out of there. It’s my favorite church for looks. I’m 83 .
Thank you for the wonderful description of my church. We moved to Simpsonville in the 70’s and have attended since then . For your info, the original building was destroyed by fire. Thankfully many previous members took pride in keeping this building in good repair. Please stop by again so we can show off our interior and beautiful stained glass windows. SKZ