Allison Bryan Gardner

ALLISON BRYAN GARDNER: This lovable man and faithful preacher of the Gospel was born at Townsville, Butler County, Kentucky, May 19, 1865. His parents were Ganderson D. and Harriett McCoy Gardner. In his early youth he was converted and united with the Union Church, Butler County, Ky. being baptized by Elder James P. Taylor, the grandfather of the author. Brother Gardner received a fair English education in the schools of his native county and in the private schools of that time. He was licensed to preach by the Union Church in February, 1887. By this same church he was ordained on June 6, 1889, with Elders James P. Taylor, B. T. Mayhugh, and J. E. Gardner serving as presbytery. He immediately took charge of Union Church as pastor and also served some other churches near there from 1889 to 1896. From 1896 to 1899 he served the following churches in Logan County: Mt. Pleasant (Lewisburg), Beechland, Dunmor, Friendship, Whitaker's Grove, Gupton's Grove, Clear Fork, and Cave Spring. From 1899 to 1906 he served Morgantown and Salem in Butler County; Green River in Ohio County; Livermore in McLean County; and White Stone Quarry and Providence Knob in Warren County. From 1906 to 1915 he served Hartford, Beaver Dam, Green River, Slaty Creek, Rockport, and Bell's Run, in Ohio County; Sugar Grove and Pleasant Ridge in Daviess County. For many years Brother Gardner had been interested in seeing an orphans' home established by Kentucky Baptists. Largely through his labors the Kentucky Baptist Children's Home was established at Glendale, Kentucky. He was elected as the first superintendent and remained in this office until the latter part of the year 1917. He then returned to the pastorate and served the churches at Morgantown, Dawson Springs, Sugar Grove, and Pleasant ridge. He died at his home in Morgantown on October 9, 1918. The present church building at Morgantown was built during his last pastorate there and was dedicated the Sunday before he died, which was left as a monument to his efficient labor. For four different times he served the Gasper River Association as Moderator and held the same office with the Ohio County Association for six years. He also preached the Annual Sermon before the Gasper River body five times and before the Ohio County fraternity two times. He also served on several committees in connection with the General Association of Kentucky Baptists. For a number of years he was a member of the State Mission Board. Brother Gardner was married to Miss Ida Dabbs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Dabbs, in 1889. To this union five children were born, two sons and three daughters. His widow and children all survive him. Brother Gardner's religious training was under favorable circumstances to the development of true piety. He was closely related to the Taylor family of the Green River country, which has produced not less than twenty-five preachers. He was a clear and rapid thinker, a bold and fearless preacher, uncompromising in his conviction for the truth. Indeed, he was a man with a message, and was in constant demand, both as pastor and as evangelist.

"A HISTORY OF THE DAVIESS-McLEAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATION IN KENTUCKY, 1844-1943" by Wendell H. Rone. Probably published in 1944 by Messenger Job Printing Co., Inc., Owensboro, Kentucky, pp. 317-318. Used by permission. [Butler]