This is "the gospel in miniature." It is true testimony
to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of the world. Our Church’s History
The "Original" Mount Sterling Cumberland Presbyterian Church formed into existence with the signing of the deed in 1877 by Deacons Williams, Barnhill and Simpson. It was founded in a small community located near Wheatcroft, KY thought to be called “Rock Springs”. Before be
ing moved to Sturgis, the church building was located at the Crossroads, behind the old train station. Several years ago, we were blessed to rediscover the actual cemetery & headstones of the founding fathers in a small cemetery in Wheatcroft. It is thought that the name Mt. Sterling Church originated from the former members who were slaves migrating from the south. There were four major locations in Kentucky to which they migrated- Louisville, Mt. Vernon, Monticello, and Mt. Sterling; therefore solving the mystery of how the church was named. The original church was destroyed by fire and a new church was built in 1890 on the corner of 7th and Pike Streets in Sturgis, KY. In 1909, plans were in line to build another church in this current spot. This did not come about until the year 1913 when those plans were put into action and a new church was constructed. Over the period of years, three floods (with the flood of 1937 being the worst) hit the church that had been constructed in 1913. The water almost completely covered the church making it barely visible and doing much damage to the structure. The church did withstand the flood and after renovations, the old church stood for another fifty-one years until it could no longer stand. It took many prayers from the saints to keep the church standing until the Lord allowed the old church to be replaced. The plans to build a new, more modern church were introduced in the mid-1980s. The members grew tired of spending money in trying to maintain the old building; it had begun to deteriorate and the congregation felt it was time to take a giant leap of faith and build a new structure. This great dream became a reality in April 1988. The building in which the congregation is presently holding worship services was finally built. We are proud to say that in April 2022, the congregation will be celebrating its 145th year of the church’s founding and the 34th year in the new church. Some accomplishments include purchasing the adjacent property on the corner of Sixth and Pike Streets; on that land, an addition of an enlarged fellowship hall, several classrooms, choir room, pastor study, and a multi-purpose/recreational room for the youth was built. An organ, which was donated by the members of the church; a keyboard for traveling which was donated by Pastor Greenwell and his wife; the purchase of a Kurtzwell electric piano; a church van for ministry outreach and transportation for church members and others, re-establishment of the youth organization and expansion of the youth ministry; a Deacon Fund Outreach Program; a Bible Study group and workshops for community children; summer trips for the youth and church members; and a Student Scholarship Program for youth members going to college are some of the additions that have been made. The church mission is to focus on an outreach ministry. In 1999 Mount Sterling's "Mission Outreach Program" was put into place under the leadership of Deacon Vanessa Barnhill as director. Aid and donations have been distributed to many needy causes. The program's goal is to strive to help others. Our church is blessed to be led by Reverend Karl Anderson and First Lady Gail Anderson. The church Elders include: Elder Vanessa Barnhill, Elder Sharon Burks-Combs, Elder Debra Carter-Smith, Elder Janice Johnson, and Elder Willie Lynk. The church historian is Elder Barnhill. Sisters Georgia Greenwell and Mary Jane Ross serve as mothers of the church. Sister Greenwell also serves as the church clerk. Sister Nora B Hughes is the church’s oldest member at 96 years of age. Elder Sharon Burks-Combs has served, and will continue to serve, on the Unified Committee for Theology and Social Concerns for the National Cumberland Presbyterian & Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America’s PCA General Assembly. Elder Willie Lynk also serves on the Historical Foundation Board for the National Cumberland Presbyterian & Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America’s PCA General Assembly. Elder Lynk was appointed to serve the Historical Foundation Board following the service of Elder Vanessa Barnhill who served in the same post; Elder Barnhill was our church’s first Elder to ever serve at the national level. Former Pastors are Rev. Kersey, Rev. Riley, Rev. Tinsley, Rev. Shelby Garnett, Rev. Richards, Rev. Hardison, Rev. Clark, Rev. William Greenwell, Rev. Oscar Powell, and Rev. Greg Pruitt.
[Source: Built by the Hands: An Historical Account of Love, Faith and Determination in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America 1869-2002. Written by Nancy J. Fuqua. Huntsville, Alabama: Executive Committee of the General Assembly, 2002, pages 333-334]
