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New solution possible: History Mystery, Earl Conover & Church

Set-up:
About: "Where is this church?"
Ann Curtis has found evidence that a previous identification of an old church may not have been right. Two Columbia Churches had similar entrances. What was identified as the Presbyterian Church may have been the Columbia Christian Church, she thinks.
Click here to see the building nearly everyone thought was the site of the Earl Conover picture.
Ann Curtis' letters follow. The first was written Thursday, December 13, 2007:

To ColumbiaMagazine.com:

I was convinced this was the Presbyterian Church, until I just found an old photo of the first Columbia Christian Church in a book of postcards of Adair County and surrounding counties.



The original Christian Church had a similar doorway with an arched window, flanked by two arched windows on either side. Since the other photos of Mr. Conover were taken on Campbellsville Street very near the Christian Church, it's possible this photo is of that church.

Perhaps someone should look into this further.

If not, at least we have learned that at one time the historic Presbyterian Church had two arched windows that have since been bricked in.

s/Ann Curtis

On Friday, December 14, 2007, we received this letter with additional information:

To ColumbiaMagazine.com:

Here's a link to the book which has the photo of the Christian Church. This won't help much because it says they're out of stock.

But, I know Vonnie (Kolbenschlag) has the book, and probably several others. They were for sale at the Methodist Church a few years back. I have one from there.

Anyway, when I saw the photo in the postcard book, I wondered if Earl's photo might have been taken at the Christian Church. It seemed logical since the location was nearer the others. (And he was dressed the same.) I don't know the dates of the original Christian Church...that might shed some light also. Was it still there in the 1920s?

To see the cover of the Postcard History Series: South Central Kentucky, Adair, Barren, Green, Hart and Taylor Counties, by Carl Howell and Dixie Hibbs, Click here. The book is also available at the Adair County Public Library.

I don't know why I'm so interested in history and historic preservation . . . it just speaks to me, I guess.

Best regards,

s/Ann Curtis

Does anyone have a photo of the beautiful old Columbia Christian Church which stood at the site of the present sanctuary? Or any other information which will solve the history mystery, let us know.


This story was posted on 2007-12-15 05:52:07
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A match: Columbia Christian appears to be mystery church



2007-12-16 - Campbellsville ST, Columbia, KY - Photo From the collection of David Martin.
DAVID MARTIN of GRISSOM MARTIN FUNERAL HOME has a photo which appears to be the mystery church where the photo of the the late Earl Conover as a little boy in 1922 was taken. Earlier, many believed the church to have been the Columbia (now Coumbia-Union) Presbyterian Church which still stands on Burkesville ST. There was plenty of reason to believe it was. But Ann Curtis, saw a photo of the Christian Church in a book of with postcard pictures from Columbia, and thought otherwise. Now, thanks to David Martin, we now have not only conclusive evidence (for CM and David Martin) that Ann Curtis is right, and, to boot, we now know where some very important Columbia history is archived, along with photos of the congregation of the church from three-quarters of a century ago., a panoramic picture of the congregation of Columbia Christian Church, from 1933, exists, and David Martin photographed a center one-fifth of it, which has details which fit the mystery photo. He writes, The late Robert H. Hutchison, Jr. (in the photo above the blond lad lad on the far right, front row) had this picture in his office of the Sunday School of hte Christian Church in 1933. Clovis Baker got it from Mr. Hutchison and gave it to me. Notice the glass above the front door and the windows look the same (as the church in the mystery picture)," he continues, "The only thing different are the signs on either side of the door, which would have been added during the intervening years. You can even notice that the light above the doors in both pictures is the same," and concludes, "I believe the mystery photo Betty Sue Jasper sent was taken at the old Columbia Christian Church, which served the congregation until it was replaced in 1967-68 by the present building." Besides the late Robert H. Hutchison, Jr., several others are identified by David Martin. On the far right, front row, the young boy is the late Harold Richardson. And, under the shutters on the right, the tallest man is the late Robert H. Hutchison, Sr., one of the partners in firm of C.R. Hutchison & Sons, which were located were 4 Seasons Consignment and the Adanta Center is now. If you have additional information about the identify of any of the individuals above, please contact ColumbiaMagazine.com or David Martin, who hopes to one day have all the individuals identified.

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