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New Liberty, long known as Twins Church, located in the northern part of
Owen County, was constituted with 30 members, June 23, 1801. Elder John
Price, who came to Kentucky from Virginia prior to 1800, and John Davis,
led in the organization of the church. The pioneer preacher, William
Hickman, gave an account of the origin of the New Liberty Church. He
says: "In those days I went down and visited my friends on Eagle Creek,
and baptized a number there. Soon after that, a large and respectable
church arose there, and Brother John Scott moved among them, and has long
been their pastor." Elder Scott continued as pastor about twenty-five
years, and left the church with about 2123 members. Elders Cornelius
Duval, B. F. Kennedy and Hugh Montgomery served as pastor in succession
until 1838, when Elder Lewis D. Alexander became pastor and continued
until his death in 1863, a period of twenty-five years. During his long
pastorate 746 converts were baptized. Since that period, it has often
changed pastors, and has not prospered as formerly.
The New Liberty Church entered into the organization of the Concord
Association, September, 1821, and remained a member until 1924, when the
Owen County Association was formed. At that time there were 210 members
and Rev. R. E. Brown pastor. At the 140th anniversary in 1941,
the church numbered 279 members, and Dr. E. F. Wright was pastor. N 1948,
it reported to the Owen county Association 262 members, 191 enrolled in
Sunday school and Rev. C. E. Butler, pastor full time.
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