Parish History

Located in Maysville, Kentucky, the Church of the Nativity, completed in 1849, is one of the oldest churches in this Ohio River town. Many Maysvillians find appealing the combination of a small historically rich town with a proximity to both Cincinnati, Ohio and Lexington, Kentucky.

Our parish is small, under one hundred families, but has a wide cultural, social and spiritual diversity and a collective commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Nativity has a rich history and a heritage which it shares with Maysville. Located in an eight block long, three block wide Historic District (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), the church, is of Tudor Gothic design which contributes to the variety of styles found in the Historic District, ranging from Georgian to Greek Revival to Victorian.

The brick and stone church, designed by the first Bishop of the Diocese of Kentucky, The Rt. Rev. B. B. Smith, remains essentially unchanged on its exterior, except for a large stained glass window added in 1891.

The Lectern

The Church Buildings

Our church is housed in the 1847 brick and stone original structure. Through the years, improvements have been made. The most extensive remodeling occurred in 1891 when an old gallery was removed and a large window was installed, adding beauty and much needed light. The interior was enhanced by the addition of elaborate wood work, marble and brass appointments and stained glass windows.

In 1960, a chapel and parish hall were constructed. Hunter Hall has an abundance of classrooms, vesting rooms, restrooms, a large multi-purpose room and a modern kitchen.

Hunter Hall is used for a variety of activities, both parish and community related. It is used for the 12-step program, the American Red Cross holds a monthly blood drive, the parish sponsors Boy Scout Cub Pack 201, and the facilities are used for the Sunday Dinner program.

The small chapel incorporates the restored altar from the original church, along with a section of the original altar rail.

In 1996 the parish conducted a capital improvement campaign and with those funds the entire exterior of the original church was re-pointed, the bell tower restored and a new roof installed on the historic nave.

A beautifully landscaped prayer garden is completely surrounded by the buildings, giving it a very secluded atmosphere, and it is the site of a Columbarium.