HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – A huge crowd came out to the St. Elmo Homemakers barbecue fundraiser on July 16, with proceeds to help fund restoration efforts at one of the county’s last remaining one room schoolhouses on Pembroke Oak Grove Road.
The annual barbecue has only recently turned into a fundraiser for the schoolhouse, and this year brought many community members together with county figures, city leaders, first responders and more in attendance. There was a silent auction, with items donated from local businesses and people to raise money.
History of the schoolhouse
Kathleen Carter, St. Elmo Homemakers President, told Christian County Now that the schoolhouse was built in 1898, located near Gates Grocery Store on Pembroke Oak Grove Road. It was owned by the Christian County Board of Education until 1949 when the Homemakers Club purchased it for $1,625.
Beginning in 1949, members of the Homemaker’s Club held cooking lessons, music classes, sewing classes, fashion lessons and more at the schoolhouse along with club meetings.
“It was a busy place from the 40s up to the 70s,” Carter said. “In the 80s, women started getting full-time positions and going back to work.”
Because of this, the club wasn’t able to meet up as much, and members started dwindling down. Today, the club is alive and well, with about 20 members.
| FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Christian County Now on Facebook
Where fundraising goes, future use for schoolhouse
In 2022, club members noticed the need for repairs as the roof infrastructure was caving in and the floor was noticeably rotting. Remodeling began that year and a time capsule with artifacts was found along with documents with history of the schoolhouse in Mason Jars.
Since repairs to the exterior four years ago, interior repairs have been deemed necessary to upkeep its historical value. With the building being placed in the National Historic Registry of Christian County just last year, more repairs are desired.
“We’re trying to maintain the historical integrity of this building, keeping repairs true to the schoolhouse’s original design,” she said. Restoration goals now are primarily running water and a working bathroom, lights and an HVAC system.
Carter said that once more restoration is complete. The schoolhouse can be used for events like birthday parties, Thanksgiving dinners, meetings and more.
“We want the community to be able to use the building for events in the future,” Carter added. “We’re so excited that the community sees the value in this project and wants to help.”
| HOPKINSVILLE GUIDES: Find more info on things to do and local places to go.