About Us

Emmanuel Church was built on a donated lot on Hickman Street.  “Simple and tasteful, plain and unornamented,” the frame building had a pulpit and 22 “well cushioned” pews donated by Trinity Church, Covington, and a Bible presented by Mrs. Kimbrough of the Methodist church.

In 1895, Emmanuel became part of the new Diocese of Lexington.  Described in the 1909 Diocesan Journal as “an earnest little band,” the congregation finally achieved parish status in 1954. Two years later, the bequest of Susan Miller Bush provided an endowment that, in 1958, enabled the parish to acquire seven wooded acres outside town.  An Armco steel building served as the church, a barn was converted into a parish hall, and a residence on the property became the rectory.  By 1964, the growing parish needed a new building.  A series of Harvest Balls, held throughout the diocese to aid parishes and missions, raised some $2,100 for Emmanuel’s new church.

Today’s neo-Colonial building, cruciform in shape and with a 66-foot high centered steeple, has glazed brick headers set in Flemish bond style, stained glass windows from the first church, and seating for 200.  The first service in the building was held on Christmas Eve, 1967

On December 1, 1968, Bishop Moody dedicated the church and the old sanctuary was turned into a parish hall.   It was named Bush Hall in honor of Susan Miller Bush and the endowment she bequeathed.

In the late 1960’s The Rev. Robert E. Anderson helps begin Operation Happiness in Clark County.  This community wide Christmas ministry continues to serve those in need in our county.

The 1970’s saw continued growth at Emmanuel.  In 1970, Boy Scout Troop 56 began meeting at Emmanuel and continues be sponsored by our parish today.  Emmanuel’s Chapter of Daughter’s of the King also began that year.  In 1975 classrooms and office space were added to the original Armco steel building (Bush Hall) and the outside was bricked and connected to the sanctuary by a walk-way and cloister.

Another parish hall was built in the mid-1980s and it was dedicated McCready Hall by Bishop Addison Hosea.  Shortly after, in 1986, Emmanuel’s Memorial Garden was begun under the leadership of the Rev. John Allen and Mr. George Gawthrop in memorial to George’s wife, Alice.  Alice Gawthrop was the first person interred in the garden.

Emmanuel saw continued growth and community involvement throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.  In 2003, after an ambitious capital campaign, Emmanuel further expanded facilities in order to better support our growing congregation and community involvement.  The sanctuary was enlarged and a new parish hall, the Parish Life Center, was built.

Emmanuel’s expansive campus and welcoming spirit has allowed us to play an integral part in supporting various activities and ministries for the community.  More details about Emmanuel’s current worship, fellowship, outreach, and community involvement are available throughout this website.