History

In the early days, all denominations in Elkton, Kentucky worshipped at the Courthouse. The first church was built by the Methodists. In 1822, a little brick church was constructed near the southwest corner of the Public Square. Here, services were held for many years until in 1851, a brick edifice was built on a lot on Lincoln Lane at a cost of $4,000. In 1872, it was remodeled at a cost of $2,000.

In May 1911, the present stone church building was planned under the supervision of architects from Evansville, Indiana. The present church was erected on lots 13 and 14 of the John Gray plan of Elkton, Kentucky. Much of the cost of construction was donated by Mrs. Mary M. Petrie, widow of H.G. Petrie, who died in 1909. The church was named in their honor as Petrie Memorial Methodist Church upon its completion in 1911.  

In the years since the completion of the church building, Petrie Memorial has added an educational wing, a Fellowship Hall, a kitchen, and a playground. In recent years, Petrie Memorial has acquired an Outreach building and the POPs Building (which received its name from its former incarnation as the “Pop’s Video” store) which has allowed us to minister to the community through the Food Bank, Celebrate Recovery, houses the Hearts & Hammers ramp ministry materials and also offers a space to be used by others.