In late October, we had a “walk through” at the building with about 25 of our congregants in attendance. I had brought some song books to sing from and we paused in the sanctuary to sing Psalm 98 and “For All the Saints”. David Welch, the realtor, was almost brought to tears

On February 10, 2012, a small group of folks met at the offices of Kentucky Land Title to sign the title of the old St. Boniface Catholic Church building over to the congregation of Trinity Presbyterian Church of Northern Kentucky.

The event was filled with many smiles and congratulatory remarks from former owners of the property (each having their financial interests satisfied). From all, there was a profound desire that this property be used for its intended purpose – the worship of the triune God. God was satisfying the desires of so many hearts.

Some five months before, on September 16, 2011, I had visited Ludlow, Kentucky to see if the old First Presbyterian Church building was still for sale. Trinity’s building committee had looked at that building in the summer of 2011, only to pass on the building for the lack of a parking lot; the structure was situated on a neighborhood street with only street parking.

My wife had noticed on the real estate listings that the house immediately adjacent to the First Presbyterian Church building had come on the market. I thought that if that house could be razed and the lot paved, that the parking problem could be alleviated.

As I drove past the Church building, the “For Sale” sign had been removed and men were removing items from the structure. At that point a twinge of disappointment went through my mind.

Though disappointed, I had remembered that an old Roman Catholic Church building (St. Boniface Church) just a couple of blocks away had been for sale some years before, so I thought I would drive by and see if it was in use. Lawrence McCord, a founding member of Trinity, and I had visited the property some four years before when a Baptist congregation was selling the structure.

As I drove by I noticed two things; first, the building was in dire need of repair, and second, it looked as if it wasn’t being used. Some men were going to and from the building so I decided to stop and inquire as to its availability.

In 1864, the city of Ludlow, Kentucky was established on the southern shores of the Ohio River, a mere mile and a half from the center of Cincinnati. Though a Presbyterian Church had been founded in Ludlow shortly after the cities’ establishment, it would not be for another 28 years before the Roman Church would build a structure for the worship of God for the large and growing German community in northern Kentucky.

Both the Presbyterian and Roman Catholic congregations subsequently merged into sister congregations of their respective denominations and neither of their former church buildings was being used for worship.

As I walked into the sanctuary of the building, I was immediately confronted by a man who sternly asked my identity. I replied, “I am Pastor Chuck Hickey of Trinity Presbyterian Church and who might you be?” A bit shocked he replied, “I am Bill Hamann and I own this building.” It was at that point that I made known our desire to find a suitable building in which our congregation could worship and wondered about the availability of this building. Bill’s sternness moderated as he informed me that the building was for sale but it would likely be auctioned off the middle of October, 2011.

I would learn at the closing that Bill had been upset with the caretaker of the building he had engaged who had not performed his duties. Bill’s realtor, David Welch, would then call me and the process began for the purchase of the building. Bill abandoned the notion of auctioning the building when he learned that Trinity was “seriously” interested in using the building for worship.

It was interesting to see the reaction of David Welch and Mr. and Mrs. Hamann when they learned just how “serious” Trinity Presbyterian Church is about worship. In late October, we had a “walk through” at the building with about 25 of our congregants in attendance. I had brought some song books to sing from and we paused in the sanctuary to sing Psalm 98 and “For All the Saints”.

David Welch, the realtor, was almost brought to tears. He was struck at the congregation singing historic music of the Church a cappella– in parts. Being an Elder in the PCUSA, he mentioned that he hadn’t heard such beautiful singing in years. That small “sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15) was recorded and placed on Facebook for God’s glory and our posterity. I believe that event was a high point in bringing to fruition the purchase of the old St. Boniface Church by Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Now the rebuilding begins. The old ruins must be brought back from disrepair (Isaiah 61:4). Two architectural engineers have examined the building and have agreed the foundation and structure are sound. In large measure, our efforts are repairing the steeple, the gutters and some roofing, as well as interior plastering, painting and refitting the bathrooms. Also, pews, a pulpit, and potentially a pipe organ need to be acquired to restore the sanctuary to its former purpose.

Reformation is taking place. What was intended for the glory of God and the “sacrifice of praise” to Him will, once again, by God’s grace, take place. If you would like to partner with us in the rebuilding of an historic Church building, contact Pastor Chuck Hickey at [email protected] or call (859)486-3923. Sola Deo Gloria

Chuck Hickey is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and serves as Pastor of Trinity Presbyterian of Northern Kentucky.