A new year has arrived and with it, birthdays!

This year two community entities are celebrating big birthdays: First Baptist Church will be 200 years old and Bank of Clarkson will be 100 years old.

Following is a little history linked to each of these community members.

First Baptist Church

(From The Leitchfield Gazette, Bicentennial Edition 1976. Written by Wanda Ray Cubbage and Judy Wright.)

First Baptist Church of Leitchfield was first known as the Beaver Dam Creek Baptist Church. It was constituted on May 29, 1804 about two and a half miles from Leitchfield with 37 charter members.

The church was organized on the principals of the Salem Association. The first building was a simple log cabin, built in 1812 near Phelps Hole on Beaver Dam Creek.

By 1835, Leitchfield was a "thriving metropolis with a population of 200." A new building was erected in 1836, after some disagreement about moving to Leitchfield, on a hillside just above a cemetery ground.

It was in this building that the first missionary act was recorded by Rev. Frederick Meredith.

Members of the Beaver Dam Creek Church were counted at 95 in 1840. About that time the church was dividing into Separate Baptists and Regular Baptists. Separates were more interested in ordinances of washing the feet and laying on of hands. Regulars were interested in missions.

A final decision was reached and the Regulars divided from the Separates. On June 4, 1842 the church decided to move to Leitchfield. Then the name "Leitchfield Baptist Church of Christ" was given and recognized by Goshen Association in 1843. The church became "First Baptist Church of Leitchfield" in 1947.

Around 1847, during the pastorate of Rev. Simeon Buchanon, a third building was built on public square and called the Union Church. Methodists and Presbyterians helped fund the building, as well as the general public and all made some use of the building.

Rev. Darnell Dowden, D.D. served the church during the difficult times preceding the Civil War.

In 1870 a public debate was held between the Baptists and the Christian churches which lasted eight days. Several issues were discussed and both sides believed they had the strongest debate.

With much community growth in the late 1800's, a fourth building was built at the present location in 1875. The land was donated by Hosea S. Bishop. By 1885, membership had grown to 107 members.

The first Sunday School, although short-lived, was organized in 1875, the first foreign mission contribution of $25 was made in 1884 and the Ladies Aid Society was organized in 1891.

In 1893, the first parsonage was built across the street from the Hughes Lumber Company. A new parsonage was purchased in 1924 across the alley from the church building and served until 1966 when the present parsonage on English Street was completed. The old parsonage was removed to make room for a parking lot.

The present building was erected in 1925 and served the congregation for more than fifty years. The Sunday School grew enough by 1958 to necessitate the additions of an educational portion which was added to the back of the structure. The sanctuary was redecorated in 1971.

The church continued to grow and soon other changes took place. A preschool was started, followed by kindergarten classes and a graded school, Leitchfield Christian Academy, which today spans first through eighth grades.

A fellowship hall and gym were built across North Heyser Drive on what used to be a playground. Today worship takes place in the large gym and the church building is used for the school.

Bank of Clarkson

(From The Leitchfield Gazette, Bicentennial Edition, 1976)

On June 15, 1904, the Bank of Clarkson was opened for business in a building that was once Bell & Skaggs general store. Only one salary was paid, to a cashier-- $50 per month.

In 1906 a new lot was purchased for $75. This lot was used to build a new brick structure.

Thomas Terry replaced A. P. Stone as cashier of the bank in 1907. He served until his death in 1941. His daughter, Nell Terry Lester, later served on the board of directors.

The bank worked without electricity until 1915 when the first lights were added to the building.

In 1925, a new structure was built on a lot purchased from Miss E. Kalaher. The bank spent $13,937 on the new building. Over the years, the old building was used by the Clarkson Post Office and Clarkson Florist.

The depression years of the 1930s were not easy ones for any bank. The Bank of Clarkson came through those years by much hard work and the devotion of its officers and directors.

The bank's total assets reached the million dollar mark on July 12, 1943. Just over two years later, on Dec. 8, 1945 the bank had doubled assets to reach $2 million.

The Bank of Clarkson received brief nationwide publicity when the account of an attempted holdup on January 8, 1958 was carried by national press wire services.

Three men entered the Bank near closing time and attempted to rob it. President Clyde Bratcher reached into a drawer, pulling out a gun and firing twice. The robber fell back as though hit and returned fire, barely missing Bratcher. Neither were hurt.

All three bandits raced outside and into a vehicle with two other accomplices. They were picked up half an hour later by state police in Munfordville. They pled guilty in federal court in Louisville.

Bank of Clarkson remodeled the entire building in 1965 adding a night deposit box and a drive-in window.

At this time a lot nearby was purchased to be used for parking and future expansion.

A lot behind the bank was purchased in 1969 for a larger parking area.

The bank's total assets reached $10 million in April 1973 and went over $12 million in June 1975.

In April 1975, directors voted to build a new structure. Construction was started on May 13 directly behind the bank.

More parking space was obtained with the purchase of three lots, including the lot on which the first bank stood.

Since 1975, the Bank of Clarkson has expanded to include a branch at Winn-Dixie Supermarket on Hwy. 62 and another in Leitchfield on South Main Street.