Inspiring Our Culture – The Town Clock Church

Southern Indiana is a unique community with a rich heritage. The Ohio River shaped our borders, brought business and industry to our riverbanks and carved a culture steeped in tradition and pride.

Since 1991 the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana has made more than $507,000 in grants to support the arts, our history and culture. Preserving our history – and who we are as a community – is an important part of inspiring future generations.

The Town Clock Church, located in downtown New Albany, is a treasure that stood as a beacon of hope for fugitive slaves escaping the auction blocks along the Louisville riverfront and the chains of slavery. It was common knowledge that if they could get to the church, whose steeple was visible as they were marched to the Portland wharf, there were people who would help them through the Underground Railroad. The late Dr. Blaine Hudson, a University of Louisville professor and author, called the crossing point between Portland and the church in New Albany “the most important crossing point in the greater Louisville area.”

Over the years the church has faced a number of challenges in preserving its history, and our culture. Can you imagine losing such a wonderful structure and symbol that meant so much to so many? It’s an important part of who we are and what we represent as a community.

To forever preserve the Town Clock Church for future generations, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana joined together with others in our community to support the efforts to bring this building back to life.