The Second Presbyterian Church
(now Second Baptist Church), is known for helping enslaved people fleeing for their
freedom prior to, during, and after the tumultuous civil war period. The
church, built between the years 1849-52, was a known refuge of the Underground
Railroad and was actively engaged in the hiding, feeding, medical care and
transport of enslave people from areas of danger to freedom. Church records and
court documents have also revealed that the pastors of Second Presbyterian baptized,
married and buried African Americans. An antebellum integrated
congregation was unheard of!
The church tower stood 150
feet high above New Albany and, because of the building’s position along the
river, the grand spire could be seen for miles. The church stood as a
symbol of resistance to slavery and a haven to freedom-seekers who could see it
from the other side of the river where Kentucky’s slave trade shipped blacks
into the misery of southern slavery. The undercroft of the structure
includes spaces that the oral tradition claims were used to hide or keep
fugitives from slavery. Also, a tunnel leads from the north side of the
building under Main Street to what was once a hotel- later used as a hospital for black soldiers during the Civil War. Part of the oral tradition is that medical
care was obtained through this tunnel for many of the slaves, who were in dire
need of treatment.
The Friends of the Town
Clock Church ensures the ongoing maintenance, beautification and long-term planning
for the building. They also conduct tours and programs for the
community. The Town Clock Church is included on the National Register as a
contributing structure of the Downtown Historic District. It has been
part of the National Register since 1999 and recently received the National
Parks Service Underground Railroad Network to Freedom designation.
Who We Are
To be good stewards of this community treasure, the non-profit “Friends of the Town Clock Church” were formed to focus on the ongoing maintenance, beautification and long-term planning for the historic Underground Railroad church. The Town Clock Church is included on the National Register as a contributing structure of the Downtown Historic District. It has been part of the National Register since 1999 & just received official designation as a Underground Railroad Network to Freedom site with the National Parks Service. We are also working on National Historic Landmark status with the National Parks Service.