Religion in Antebellum Kentucky

by John B. Boles

Religion permeated the day-to-day life of antebellum Kentucky. This engaging account of Kentucky's various Christian denominations, first published as part of the Kentucky Bicentennial Bookshelf, traces the history of the Great Revival of 1800–1805, the subsequent schism in Protestant ranks, the rise of Catholicism, the development of a distinctive black Christianity, and the growth of a Christian antislavery tradition.

Paying special attention to the role of religion in the everyday life of early Kentuckians and their heritage, John B. Boles provides a concise yet enlightening introduction to the faith and the people of the Bluegrass State. Religion In Antebellum Kentucky is an excellent survey of religion and its significance in the first eighty-five years of Kentucky's history.

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

John B. Boles is an American historian who retired as the William P. Hobby Professor of American History at Rice University in 2019. Born in Houston, Texas, he grew up in a rural, racially segregated Bible Belt town where his family farmed cotton and later raised chickens. Raised in a staunchly Baptist household, Boles’ early experiences shaped his later research in Southern social history. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Rice University in 1965 and a PhD from the University of Virginia in 1969. Boles began his academic career at Towson State University, later teaching at Tulane University before joining Rice University in 1981, where he held prominent chairs and contributed extensively to scholarship. He authored numerous books on the social history of the Southern United States, including religious, black, and women’s history, and edited multiple volumes. Boles served as editor of the Journal of Southern History for over 30 years and was president of the Southern Historical Association in 2017-18. His 2017 biography Jefferson: Architect of American Liberty is widely regarded as a definitive one-volume study of Thomas Jefferson.

Reviews

[Kathleen McKim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another from the Kentucky Bicentennial Bookshelf, this book discusses exactly what it says it does, religion in antebellum Kentucky. Again, it was a brief overview, dealing very broadly with religion as it came to Kentucky during the late 1700s/early 1800s. The protestant denominations mentioned were Baptists, Presbyterian and Methodist churches. Particular attention is paid to the Cane Ridge Revival in 1801, which was attended by people from all 3 KY Protestant religions. Cane Ridge seems to be the catalyst for schisms, especially among the Presbyterians, resulting in the formation of the Disciples of Christ and the Cumberland Presbyterians, respectively. Of interest was Boles' discussion of 7 categories of Camp Meeting responses: the falling exercise, the rolling exercise, the "jerks," the barking exercise, the dancing exercise, and the laughing and singing exercises. Some of these can still be evidenced in Pentecostal and Holiness churches to this day. It was interesting to learn that the Primitive Baptists were formed from a reaction to Northern missionary activity in KY, as many Kentuckians did not take kindly to Northerners coming to civilize the "wild KY frontier". The Shakers were also mentioned, but there are other books about Shakers which are much more informative.

One chapter is devoted to Catholicism in KY, which was centered mostly around Bardstown until the see was moved to Louisville due to the influx of German and Irish immigrant workers on the riverfront. There were some clashes between Catholics and the Protestant "Know-Nothing" party over papism.

The discussion then switches back to the role of African-American religion in KY before the Civil War. It is interesting to note that there were AME churches started by free blacks, but there were also several slaves who were allowed to preach as well, always under the supervision of their white masters. There seemed to be an outward emphasis on obeying masters and good morals among these preachers, which led some slaves to create their own secret worship services which allowed them to discuss the liberty and equality of all away from the slave owners. Some churches were composed of whites and slaves, and in one case, when a slave-owner tried to sell a particularly popular African-American preacher, his congregation appealed to another local congregation to raise the funds to "buy" him so that he could remain as their preacher. While there were some unofficial attempts by abolitionists to address the issue of slavery from within the church, the mainline protestant denominations decided to adopt an official separation of church and state when it came to the issue, quite conveniently leaving it for the state to decide rather than the morality of the church.

I enjoyed learning from this book, but I believe one could study this topic for a life-time. I look forward to finding more books on the subject.

[John Culbertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very great overview of the title subject. A 2000 preface by Boles states the he would have liked to articulate his thesis and/or overall argument more clearly were he to go back and revise this text. I agree; though the book is clearly divided by various subjects, I'm not always sure what argument the author is making.

Nevertheless, I would definitely recommend this text for those interested in, but unfamiliar with, the topic. It's a great introduction to a very interesting era. I do feel, however, that the author downplays the atrocities of slavery. I wish a a structural analysis of the evils of slavery were provided.

Regardless, great book! Definitely worth a quick read!

[Ashley Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this book for a college history class.

[Rebecca Frodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since reading this a few years ago I have found myself referencing the information in this book on several occasions. It’s a fascinating study of how religion in frontier Kentucky changed in the years leading up to the Civil War and how that change still affects Kentucky in current times.