As the Bicentennial of the Elkhorn Baptist Association was drawing near, interest revived in the ministry of John Taylor, the first pastor of the Clear Creek Baptist Church in Woodford County and a moving force in early revival efforts on the frontier. It was discovered by Earl S. Bell, Scott Nash, and Earl Coins that his grave and those of his family were on a farm in Franklin County and were not accessible to the public and needed more care than they were receiving.

      The Elkhorn Baptist Association became interested in moving the graves to Clear Creek Baptist Church. The cooperation of the Kentucky Baptist Convention in advancing funds made it possible for the project to be completed.

      Clear Creek Baptist Church is located on highway 169 in Woodford County and the graves may be seen by those wishing to visit the site.

      The cost of the project was $10,000, and the expense has been paid by the Elkhorn Baptist Association. Many friends of the preservation of Baptist history have contributed to this project.

      John Taylor made the journey from Virginia to Kentucky and is especially known for his book A History of Ten Churches. Elkhorn now possesses one of the original copies of the book.

      Elkhorn Baptist Association was organized at the Clear Creek Baptist Church and in the future will erect a monument there to commemorate the constitution of the Association.

      The Clear Creek Baptist Church is celebrating the Bicentennial of the church this year, so it is a major event in the life of the church to have the first pastor's grave on the church property.

      Baptists are invited to visit this historic site and learn more about the ministry of this great man.

[From The Kentucky Baptist Heritage magazine, November, 1985, Volume XII, Number 2. Scanned and formatted by JIm Duvall.]

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