Pewee Valley Presbyterian Church

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

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Pewee Valley is a suburban village eighteen miles from Louisville. The streets of the village, extending north and south along the LaGrange Road, are lined with tall trees forming Gothic Arches as they meet in the center. There is a peace and serenity about the village which, in the latter part of the 19th century, drew people away from the city to spend the summers in the county. Other people had permanent residences nestled among the trees back from the street. There was a white wooden fence in front of each place, and stone gate posts marked the entrance. To this charming spot in November of 1886, came a committee from the Presbytery of Louisville to consider organizing a church there. The committee consisted of the Rev. J. L. McKee, the Rev. James Lapley, and Elder J. B. Kinkade. A congregation was organized and officers were elected. On November 17, 1866, the Session met in the Methodist Church in Rollington, a small village north of Pewee Valley, and formally orgainized the Presbyterian Church of Pewee Valley. Among the organizing members were Alexandar Craig, Mrs. Annie Craig, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Rohrer, Miss Sarah McKee, Mr. Charles B. Cotton, Miss Jennie Cotton, Mr. Thomas Barclay, and Miss Jennie Mitchell. While the church was being built, services were held in what is now the Parish House. It was built for a school where Mrs. Magruder, a sister of Judge Peter Muir, taught. Later it was used as a manse from the time of Dr. Cleland, 1884, until Dr. Hoge came in 1907. A year after the formal organization of the Pewee Valley Church the present sanctuary was completed, and on November 21, 1867, Dr. B. H. McGowan preached the dedicatory sermon. The Rev. J. L. McKee was acting moderatory for the church. The first member to join the church in 1867 was a Negro woman, Aunt Clary Gordon. In June 1870 Charles B. Cotton and his wife deeded the church the church property to the church "Trustees, J. H. Rohrer, Thomas B. Crawford, and J. M. Armstrong, and their successors here after to be elected." The progress of the church during our first 100 years was marked by the service of many ministers. A list of those who served follows:
1866-1870 ^* The Rev. J.L. McKee 1870-1872 The Rev. J.L. McKee 1872-1873 The Dr. N.F. Dick 1873-1877 The Rev. W.R. Brown 1877-1878 The Rev. W.K. Archibald 1880-1883 The Rev. S.E. Barr 1883-1885 ^* The Rev. F.M. Hopkins 1885-1886 The Rev. J.H. Reynard 1886-1892 The Rev. T.H. Cleland 1892-1899 The Rev. J.C. Randolph 1900-1906 The Rev. C.M. Creighton 1907-1929 Dr. Payton H. Hoge 1907-1929 ^* Dr. Jesse L. Cotton 1929-1937 ^* Dr. Andrew K. Rule	1937-1941 ^{^} Mr. John Fox ^{^} Mr. Malcom McIver ^{^} Mr. Tom Duncan ^{^} Mr. Tom Davidson ^{^} Mr. Dean Cope ^{^} Mr. Elvin Crandell ^{^} Mr. Pitser M. Lyons III Fox 1941-1950 The Rev. Pitser M. Lyons III 1950-1951 ^{^} The Mr. Douglas T. Ibach 1952-1953 The Rev. Douglas T. Ibach 1953-1955 Dr. George Edwards 1956-1958 The Rev. Earl E. Caldwell 1958-1965 Dr. J.P. Love

^* Stated Supply ^{^} Student Pastor