Kentucky Synod - Kentucky Synod, PC(USA)

Kentucky Synod, PC(USA)

The first, and probably most well known, of these was that established by the Presbyterian Church in the late 18th century. As a body, Kentucky Synod was a great deal more conservative than the Presbyterian Church as a whole — especially in its opposition to many aspects of the Second Great Awakening, a revival movement that thrived in Kentucky from about 1798 to about 1820. After Synod ejected a number of revivalist Presbyterian ministers, these ministers continued to preach and minister to their congregations. Eventually, Barton W. Stone, ejected by Kentucky Synod in 1803, formed Springfield Presbytery, which eventually became the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In 1810, ministers from Cumberland Presbytery, dissolved by Kentucky Synod in 1805, reformed into an independent presbytery which became the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Following the American Civil War, Kentucky Synod divided along primarily political lines. Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge led the "Northern" or Presbyterian Church (USA) faction, but the majority of members and congregations became part of the new "Southern" Presbyterian Church.