The Third Annual
~ Midway Living History Day ~
October 30, 2010 in Downtown Midway
The event was a huge success and drew crowds all day.
Thanks to Mayor Tom Bozarth for hosting our Community History Displays in City Hall.
Kit Walden set up a tribute to Miss Margaret Ware Parrish, who received
the 2nd annual Midway Living History Award in 2009
The Woodford County Historical Society display
Images & descriptions from the 1978 nomination of the Midway
Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places. The
Living History Committee may pursue the expansion of
the Midway Historic District boundaries.
Historic documents & photographs from the Midway Woman's Club
Brenda Jackson provided a display relating the history of Midway's
African American Schools and Churches, as well as historic displays
at Pilgrim Baptist Church, St. Matthew AME Church, and
Historic Second Christian Church
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sign outside the City Hall & Visitors Center
Marcie Christensen & Helen Rentch greeted visitors
and handed out Programs
Kitty Weischoff and Lonnie Adkins shared
their memories
of Midway's past
Billy Hill shared from his collection of antique toys & games
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Walking Tour of Midway's Historic Church Sanctuaries
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Historic Second Christian Church |
Historic Marker |
| A special reception was held at Historic Second Christian Church to commemorate the Blue Grass Trust Plaques and Historic Markers installed at Midway's three African-American churchs (Historic Second Christian, Pilgrim Baptist, and St. Matthew AME) as well as the Blue Grass Trust Plaque placed on the home of Mollie Bradley in recognition of the building's significance as the original Pilgrim Baptist Church and the Midway African-American School. |
Reception cake at Historic Second Christian Church
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Pilgrim Baptist Church
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This Church was built in 1982 when its membership outgrew their original frame church building at the corner of Walnut & Elkton Streets. Pilgrim Baptist was formed by Dr. James Knox Polk and 16 charter members. Dr. Polk, who was born into slavery, served as the Church's pastor until his death in 1918.
The 1872 structure, below, sold to the Woodford County Board of Education in 1911 and became the Midway Elementary School for African Americans. It served for 43 years, closing in 1954. |
Original Pilgrim Baptist Church |
In 1959, Walter T. and Mollie M. Bradley purchased the property for their residence.
Mr. Bradley (1925-2004) was the first African American elected to the Midway City Council. |
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Original Stained Glass Window at
St. Matthew AME Church
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The St. Matthew African American Methodist Episcopal congregation purchased this lot in 1854 when Rev. Moses Burks was their first pastor. The original frame church, and a brick church that was erected in 1886 on the site, were destroyed by fire in 1892 and the present church was built.
In 1877 Reverend Burks and other citizens formed the Sons & Daughters of Relief, a charitable organization that purchased a cemetery ground behind Midway Presbyterian Church. In 1917, when the north side of Main Street included many African American businesses, the Sons & Daughters of Relief purchase the old Central Saloon at 124 East Main (now the Midway Museum Store) where they operated a restaurant on the first floor and held meetings upstairs. |
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| Midway Methodist Church was built as a school in the 1860's, with classrooms on the first floor and the teacher's living quarters on the second. The school closed in 1909, and in 1921 the building was purchased by the congregation. They added a vestibule in the 1950's, and later added beautiful stained glass windows to the sanctuary. |
Midway Baptist Church in a January 2009 photo |
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A meeting for the purpose of constituting a Baptist Church in Midway was held in June of 1872.
On July 13, 1872 Brother J.W.Bow, a student at Georgetown College, was elected the first pastor.
The town of Midway gave the church a lot adjoining the Midway Christian Church, but a committee was appointed to sell the lot and buy a “more suitable” location on which to build a new facility. That committee bought a lot on Winter Street from D. Lehman and built the original church building for $5,400. |
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Midway Christian Church was founded in March 1844 by 32 charter members. Their first services were held in an unfinished woolen mill at 206 Main Street.
A one-story building was erected on the present site in 1844. The congregation eventually outgrew the small building. It was razed and the present structure was erected and dedicated in 1896.
Dr. L.L. Pinkerton, one of the founders of the Kentucky Female Orphan School (now Midway College) served the congregation as minister from 1844 to 1860. His image appears on the stained glass window at right. |
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| Midway Presbyterian Church, erected in the 1870's, has been called the finest Gothic Revival building in Midway. The church was damaged by fire in 1909 and rebuilt. During remodeling, the original church bell was removed and recast to eliminate a crack. The bell is said to contain coins collected by Sunday School children during the initial construction. |
The highlight of the day was the presentation of the third annual Midway Living History Award in a ceremony at Midway Presbyterian Church. Mr. John Steele Davis, author, lifelong community volunteer and historian,
was honored in a ceremony that included tributes from family and friends.
Mayor Tom Bozarth presented a proclamation declaring October 30th "John Steele Davis Day"
Mr. John Steele Davis
Midway Renaissance recognizes
Mr. John Steele Davis for his lasting contributions to the history of Midway and Woodford County and for his gifts we are grateful.
Steele Davis with his late wife, Jean |
Born in Midway in 1917, Mr. Davis comes from one of Woodford County’s oldest families. He graduated from Versailles High School in 1934, and from Centre College in 1938. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, then returned to Midway and began farming with his father. Despite the demands of farming, he generously donated his time and talents to make Midway and Woodford County a better place.
The list of organizations that have benefitted from the generosity and service of Steele Davis include the Boy Scouts, Lions Club, 4-H, Extension Council, Midway Presbyterian Church, Woodford County Farm Service Agency, Northeast Woodford Water District, the Buckley Hills Audubon Society, Logan Helm Library Board, Woodford County Senior Citizens Center, and the Midway Nursing Home Task Force, just to name a few.
Today we focus on his outstanding contributions in bringing our history to life, with the presentation of the third annual Midway Living History Award:
Among his noteworthy accomplishments in preserving and sharing our history:
- He was among the founders of the Woodford County Historical Society, served six terms as President, several terms as Secretary, and helped the Society locate a permanent museum
- He has written two books – The Tales of Two Central Kentucky Creeks and Where They Flow, and On the Road: A Tour of Southern Woodford County – published and sold by the Woodford County Historical Society, though he declined payment for his work
- He has conducted guided tours of the county for the Historical Society, again without compensation.
- He served on the Bicentennial of Woodford County Celebration Committee
- He wrote the history of the Midway Presbyterian Church for their sesquicentennial in 1991
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Steele Davis at the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Foundation dinner in 2006 where
Mr. Davis was presented with the Foundation's
5th Annual Senior Star Award. |
Steele Davis in historic costume, conducting guided tours
for the Woodford County Historical Society |
Pastor Mary Seeger Weese welcomed visitors to the award ceremony. |
Steele's sons, John (above) and Laurence, spoke of their father's lifelong generosity. |
Niesje Spragens shared her
memories of Steele Davis
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Mayor Tom Bozarth presented Mr. Davis with a document proclaming October 30th
'John Steele Davis Day'.
Midway Presbyterian Church Pastor Mary Weese with
(L to R) John, Steele, and Laurence Davis
Steele Davis and Family
Becky Moore, Chair of the Midway Living History Committee,
congratulates Steele Davis
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Dan Roller was among several guests who stood to share
their appreciation for Mr. Davis
Becky Moore, Steele Davis, and
Midway Renaissance President Randy Thomas
Helen Rentch and Sarah Hicks review a
historical scrapbook,
one of many items brought to the ceremony
by Steele's son, John
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Special Thanks and Appreciation for their roles in the third Annual Midway Living History Day to:
Mayor Tom Bozarth for generously hosting Community History Displays in City Hall
John Davis for providing a wealth of information and memorabilia from his father, Steele Davis
Pastor Mary Seeger Weese for hosting the Award Ceremony at Midway Presbyterian Church
Sarah Wilson for photographs, especially of the Award Ceremony
Brenda Jackson for researching and presenting the history of Midway's African American Schools and Churches, and for hosting a special reception at Historic Second Christian Church to celebrate the historic markers and Bluegrass Trust plaques she worked tirelessly to acquire.
The Board of Midway Renaissance, Inc. for their guidance and support
Helen Rentch for giving birth to this initiative
The Midway Living History Committee for their great ideas and volunteer time
Becky Moore, Committee Chair, for her tireless enthusiasm and organization
Marcie Christensen for her talent, time, and help
with advertising, design and distribution
with Extra Special Thanks to All Our History Presenters!
Woodford County Historical Society
Brenda Jackson - African American Schools & Churches in Midway
Midway's Historic Churches —
St. Matthew African Methodist Episcopal Church
Pilgrim Baptist Church
Historic Second Christian Church
Midway Christian Church
Midway Methodist Church
Midway Baptist Church
Midway Presbyterian Church
National Register—The Midway Historic District
Midway Museum, Inc.
Billy Hill's Antique Toys
Kit Walden for her display in memory of Miss Margaret Ware Parrish
Midway Woman’s Club
and with gratitude to Randy Thomas, President, Midway Renaissance, Inc.
The Midway Living History Committee always welcomes your participation!
Contact Committee Chair - Becky Moore (846-4237)
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