Pewee Valley Church Celebrates 100 Years of Faith and Mission

The Pewee Valley Church, Ky., celebrated its 100th anniversary on Sept. 19 and 20, remembering a century of service, outreach, and spiritual growth with a weekend-long program attended by members, former members, and friends from across the region.

The celebration began Friday evening, Sept. 19, with a light supper and a meet-and-greet that brought together past and present members for fellowship. Over the weekend, participants shared testimonies, learned about the history of the church and watched video messages of congratulations from former pastors and members. The celebration concluded with a special dedicatory prayer for the Pewee Valley church and its mission in the community.

A Rich History

In 1919, a small treatment room was opened in Louisville by a group of nurses who had been trained at Madison College and dreamed of opening a sanitarium like in Tennessee. As the work grew, a 50-acre farm in Pewee Valley was purchased, complete with a two-story log house, tenant houses, and a barn. Renovations turned the property into a functioning sanitarium, with rooms for patients, treatment rooms, and an operating room.

On July 4, 1925, Elder C. W. Curtis organized the Pewee Valley Church, named after the local post office. Two years later, members established a church school, adding one grade each year until the first class graduated in 1939. The completed building included a chapel that seated 200 and was dedicated debt-free in March 1940. A new school, Pewee Valley Junior Academy, was built in 1963 and dedicated in 1971. Across the street, Friendship Manor Nursing Home opened in 1969 to serve the community.

When the Pewee Valley Hospital closed in 1975, some feared the church would struggle without its medical ministry. Instead, the congregation pressed forward, breaking ground for the current church building in 1977. The sanctuary was dedicated on March 25, 1981, and its debt was fully paid off in January 1987.

A missionary history

The members Pewee Valley have always had a heart for mission. In the 1933, members helped plant the Shelbyville Church, Ky. In 1957, they planted the St. Matthews Church (now Middletown Church), and in 2014 they sponsored the formation of the La Grange company. Over the years, the church has supported international mission projects, including sponsoring students in Africa and planting a church there in 2018.

“It’s very exciting to me to see the history and what the church has done to be an influence on the community,” said Bonnie Riebel, who has been a member at the Pewee Valley for more than four decades. “Having seen the church through its ups and downs over the years, it’s inspiring to know that God has been faithful and that we’re still here, still serving, and still trying to reach people.”

A Caring History

Hospitality remains central to Pewee Valley’s mission. Former member Joseph Shafer, whose father pastored the congregation and led the construction of the current church building, said fellowship has always been a defining strength.

“We saw many people baptized while we were there, and we mentored people who are still serving God today,” Shafer said. “Although membership is smaller than it once was, it remains a very friendly and warm church and that spirit is what makes Pewee Valley special.”

Jean Sheppard became a member of the Pewee Valley Church in 1998. She moved to La Grange in 2014 to help with the church plant there but says Pewee Valley was a formative church for her family.

“Peewee Valley has provided a ground for us to grow in Christ,” Sheppard said. “My children were baptized there, and the experiences we had prepared us not just to grow personally but to serve. It gave us the foundation and confidence to help plant new churches and to start Bible studies that lasted for years.”

A Continuing history

Members say the centennial celebration was a time to thank God for His blessing and to be reminded of His call.

“Today we are a small church, but God does not look for numbers. He looks at hearts,” Riebel said. “What matters most is that we stay faithful and keep doing the work He’s called us to ... I believe that as long as we stay committed to that mission, He will bless the work and keep the light of Pewee Valley shining for the next generation.”