Who We Are

The Reformed Church has its roots in the Protestant Reformation. The Protestant Reformation began in 1517 when Martin Luther sought to debate ninety-five errors and abuses of the Roman Catholic Church. The Christians who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church were called “Protestants” because they protested the abuses and heresies of the Roman Church. In Germany the branch of the Reformation was known as “Lutheran,” while in Switzerland it was known as “Reformed.” These Christians sought to restore the church back to Scripture.

Many pastors and missionaries who studied in Geneva, Switzerland took the Reformed faith to other countries and continents. One country where the Reformed faith eventually thrived was the Netherlands. The Dutch Reformed Church was established in AD 1571. Dutch immigration to America came in phases, beginning as early as 1628. By 1792 these settlers formed the Dutch Reformed Church. Eventually, the Christian Reformed Church in North America (or CRC for short) was started. Over the years, however, the CRC began to move in an unbiblical direction, and in 1996 the United Reformed Churches in North America (or URC for short) was born to carry on the Reformed faith without compromising biblical faithfulness.

While the Dutch Reformed tradition might not be well-known to many Kentuckians, it is not entirely foreign. In 1796 missionary Rev. Peter Labagh was sent to Kentucky to establish a Dutch Reformed Church in Harrodsburg. By 1800 a Reformed Church was built, known as the “Old Mud Meeting House,” which was pastored by “Dominie” Thomas Kyle. This church was the first Reformed Church west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Christ Reformed Church stands in this lineage. We are a simple church that revolves around Word and sacrament. “Christ is with us,” is more than a mere slogan for us. We live this reality every day as we seek to love God and our neighbor.