Danville Presbyterian Church
Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky
Marker Inscription
Presbyterian Church. One of three founded, 1784, by Reverend David Rice; earliest of this denomination west of Alleghenies. Here worshipped: James G. Birney, whose presidential candidacy in 1844 caused defeat of Henry Clay; John C. Breckinridge, whose 1860 candidacy resulted in election of Lincoln; Samuel D. Burchard, whose "Rum, Romanism and Rebellion" defeated James G. Blaine in 1884.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society
The Story
Founded in 1784 by the Reverend David Rice, this was one of the earliest Presbyterian congregations west of the Alleghenies, planted as Kentucky's frontier filled with settlers. Its pews held figures who shaped national politics: abolitionist James G. Birney, whose 1844 presidential run helped cost Henry Clay the election; John C. Breckinridge, whose 1860 candidacy split the Democrats and aided Lincoln; and Samuel D. Burchard, whose 1884 'Rum, Romanism and Rebellion' remark helped sink James G. Blaine.
Why it matters
A frontier church became an unlikely crossroads of American political history, tied to three presidential elections that turned on the men who worshipped here.
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Related people
- · David Rice
- · James G. Birney
- · John C. Breckinridge
- · Samuel D. Burchard
Themes & tags
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