Historic Churches of Evansville

New WNIN-TV Documentary Highlighting Local Churches

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The documentary will be available to watch online at a later date, TBD.

Interviews, footage, and photos tell the untold stories in this new, local production from WNIN.

Historic Churches of Evansville explores the history and architecture of some of Evansville’s oldest and most historic churches in this one-hour documentary produced by WNIN-TV. Through personal interviews and stories, the documentary highlights how each congregation was formed, organized to build their unique places of worship, and how each church reflects the growth of Evansville.

"Most churches in town, they can trace back to one of those early 1800 churches. But it's the third or fourth church. They've moved farther away from downtown or to a more modern church, at least in architecture. But, you've got that connection, that lineage back to those early churches still," says Vanderburgh County Historian Stan Schmitt.

The documentary features Old North Methodist Church, Trinity Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, St. Lucas Evangelical Church, St. Boniface Church, and The Washington Avenue Temple.

“Getting to learn more about some of the most historic churches of the area and explore their architecture is one of the reasons that I enjoy working at WNIN. The way that religion is intertwined in the development of our community is truly fascinating and I hope that Historic Churches of Evansville gives everyone in the community a unique opportunity to visit a variety of churches that they may have only seen from the outside before,” says WNIN-TV Director of Production Sarah Downs.

This production is made possible by local funders.

Historic Churches of Evansville Photo Gallery

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Old North - the original 1832 structure still stands and is used for special occasions and some weddings even though there is a newer larger sanctuary. Considered to be the oldest church still standing in Evansville (although not part of Evansville when it was built).

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Trinity Methodist - Rev. Albion Fellows led the campaign to build the church in the 1860's, but died before it was completed, and before his daughter, Albion Fellows (Bacon) was born. Built during the Civil War, which lengthened the process.

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St. Paul's Episcopal - The Church was flooded in the 1937 flood and the next year a fire destroyed the interior. There was one stained glass window and the tower bell that survived. Gothic architecture, made of quarry-faced Bedford limestone, highlighted by lighter, smooth-faced Green River limestone.

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Liberty Baptist - congregation and building founded by former slaves. Originally built in 1880, the structure was destroyed by a cyclone in 1886 and had to be rebuilt. It was rebuilt in 9 months.

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St. Lucas Evangelical - The Evangelical movement of the late 1800's in the midwest was uniquely German and Evansville was considered it's epicenter.

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St. Boniface - Built in 1881 to provide a church for German craftsmen across the Pigeon Creek. Held services mostly in German until WWI.

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Washington Ave Temple - Although there had been several synagogues in Evansville dating back to 1865, Washington Ave Temple (1903) is the oldest still standing...and after a fire destroyed the main building in 1983, only the tower remains.

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