History

First Baptist Church of Ashland: It all started when…

The Hanover Arts & Activities Center is proud to be housed in the historic Ashland Baptist Church building at 500 South Center Street.  In the 1840’s, The RF&P Railroad Company began to develop the area of Ashland as a resort with a mineral springs and a race track. The town grew up around the resort and was incorporated in February of 1858. Protestants in the area shared the Free Church until, in 1858, 15 Baptists began the process of building a church for their congregation.  The Ashland Baptist Church was completed in 1859 becoming the second permanent church in the Town of Ashland. Church services were held until June 25, 1967 with the exception of a brief period in 1862, when the church was used as a hospital during the Civil War.  The congregation moved to a larger church facility and the building was purchased by the Ashland Junior Women’s Club to become the Hanover Arts & Activities Center.

The Hanover Arts & Activities Center board is dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the building to ensure that it continues to serve our community for many generations to come. 

For more information on the history of the Ashland Baptist Church and the Hanover Arts & Activities Center, visit the Ashland Museum’s website at www.ashlandmuseum.org.