Bellevue Christian Church
604 Poplar Street in Bellevue
Kentucky Post, Monday, 16 November 1895, page 5
The Christian Endeavor revival opens tonight. The societies of Dayton and Bellevue will united and hold services in the Bellevue Christian Church at 7:45 pm. Rev J M Bailey of Newport, will preach. Subject "The Value of a Soul." Everybody is invited.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 19 November 1895, page 5
Supper and social for the benefit of the Christian Church this evening at the home of Mrs. Ratcliff, on Berry Avenue, Bellevue. Supper including oysters will be served from 6 to 10 pm for 20 cents.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 3 July 1899, page 1
At the Bellevue Christian Church Sunday morning, there was a free for all fight. Rev R D Harding has been dismissed from the church as pastor and member, but for sometime he has continued to hold services. Sunday services had been announced by both factions and the anti-Hardings were there first. They began the service at 10:45 by psalm singing. Harding and his faction came in and arranged an organization from the pulpit.
Prof. David H Davies, leader of the antis announced Hymn #30. Rev Mr. Harding, pale and trembling, announced hymn #741. Then the trouble started. The choir and the anti-Hardings struck up #30 whie the Hardingites pulled out manfully with 741. Oscar Hanna, a trustee of the church, shouted, "Mr. Harding, we protest against your occupying the church this morning." For a few minutes the fighting was general accompanied by shouts of men and screams of women and children. Harding's organization told, however, and when Chief of Police Ratliff arrived the vocal firing was desultory.
Harding had won and went on with the service. Warrants were served on Will Willie, Allen Willite, Frank Shumate and Thomas Justice on three counts each, assault and battery, disorderly conduct and disturbing a religious meeting. Rev Harding is charged with inciting a breach of the peace. They will be tried befoer Judge Beyland Monday evening.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 6 July 1899, page 5
The Bellevue Christian Church row, which has caused much comment, has finally succeeded in getting into the courts at Newport. A restraining order was issued Wednesday enjoing Rev R D Harding from holding meetings in the church. Judge John D Ellis, on behalf of Oscar Hanna, A F Moore and A A Robinson, as Trustees, filed the injunction suit.
Plaintiffs allege Rev Harding, while pastor of the church, has been the cause of many quarrels and discensions among the members; that many withdrew their membership and the treasury was thus depleted. At divers times Harding instead of acting as spiritual advisor, insulted his congregation from the pulpit. He made use of language which has brought the church into disrepute; he has written letters to various members in the most disrespectful terms.
They allege Harding has charge of the books and records of the church congregation and he is insolvent and cannot recover damages. They ask that Harding be restrained from interfering in any manner with the plaintiffs; that he be restrained from holding any meetings in the church and he be compelled to deliver to plaintiffs the church goods. A temporary restraining order was issued.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 10 July 1899, page 1
The trial of the Rev R D Harding, pastor of the Bellevue Christian Church, on a charge of assault and battery and disorderly conduct, was conducted in the Bellevue Police Court Monday. Mrs. Frazer, A F Moore Sr. Charles Gerald and Miss Moore testifed that Charles Justice, an employee of Allen Willis, one of the pastor's adherents, came into the church, pulled off his coat and announced he was going to clean out the church. The fighting commenced then.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 11 October 1899, page 8
The choir of the Bellevue Christian Church will meet Thursday night.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 24 August 1904, page 5
Chorister W L Beasley announces that during the fall and winter a special effort will be made by the choir of the Dayton-Bellevue Chrisitan Church to improve the music in every respect.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 4 December 1905, page 3
The regular monthly meeting of the auxiliary of the CWBM of the Dayton and Bellevue Christian Church will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 pm at the home of Mrs. S H Freeman, 913 Thornton st.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 28 August 1906, page 5
At a meeting of the Bellevue Dayton Christian Church Sunday Rev J Irvin was extended a call to fill the pulpit made vacant by the resignation of W H Smith.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 21 September 1906, page 5
The reception tendered Rev J A Erwin and wife at the Bellevue-Dayton Christian Church on Ward av. was attended by a number of celebrities.
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Kentucky Post, 2 June 2005
The Bellevue Christian Church was a Midwest mover and shaker, part of a Protestant movement to restore the use of the New Testament. However, almost 100 years after the church was built, the congregation dwindled and merged with Dayton Church of Christ.
Brenda Guidugli purchased the 19th century building with its jewel toned stained glass windows in 1997. Today, from the outside the inn still looks like a church. Inside renovation combined with preservation has created 1800 feet of space. The original stained glass windows and hardwood floors give it the feel of a church. "There are a couple of spaces that are very comforting and peaceful like a church." Guidugli said.