A SKETCH OF THE ORIGINAL CHURCHES CONSTITUTING
THE ELKHOHN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN KENTUCKY.
By B. Manly, Jr.

      The Elkhorn Association of Baptists, organized ninety-two years ago in this beautiful Blue Grass country, deserves a fuller history than it is expedient now to present. It was the earliest organization of the kind in Kentucky, or in the region west of the Alleghanies. At times a very large body, always respectable, active, and yet conservative, it has exerted an influence larger than its present members would indicate. It has grown weak by the strength and materials it has transferred to sister associations around, in whose vigor and success it rejoices, and will continue to rejoice.

      The year 1785 witnessed the establishment in Kentucky of three Baptist Associations. These were

I. ELKHORN ASSOCIATION, September 30, 1785, at Clear Creek.

SIX CHURCHES.

Gilbert's Creek, established in Kentucky, December, 1781.
Tate's Creek constituted in 1783.
South Elkhorn " July 31, 1784.
Clear Creek " June 18, 1785.
Big Crossing " May 28, 1785.
Limestone " July, 1785.

II. SALEM ASSOCIATION, Oct. 29, 1785, at Cox's Creek.

FOUR CHURCHES.

Severn's Valley constituted June 18, 1781, number in 1785, thirty-seven.
Cedar Creek (now Nelson County) constituted July 4, 1762, number in 1785, forty-seven.
Bear Grass (now Louisville) constituted January, 1784, number in 1785, nineteen.
Cox's Creek constituted April, 1785, number in 1785, twenty-six.

III. SOUTH KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION, October, 1785, at Gilbert’s Creek.

FIVE CHURCHES (SEPARATE BAPTISTS).

Gilbert's Creek constituted in 1785.
No Lynn " 1782.
Pottinger's Creek " 1785.
Head of Boone's Creek " 1785.
Rush Branch " 1785.

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[Report of B. Manly, Jr. on the History of the Elkhorn Association of Baptists in Kentucky, 1876; From a notebook at the Elkhorn Baptist Association office, Lexington, KY. This is a portion of the document - page 18. It is also available at SBTS, Archives, Louisville, KY. Transcribed and formatted by Jim Duvall.]

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