Historical Marker
Mountain Missionary
The Rev. Asbel S. Petrey, born 1866, Whitley County, Ky. Ordained, 1891. Came here 1897, organized First Missionary Baptist Church of Hazard, 1898. Founder, 1902, and President of Hazard Baptist Institute, a public school since 1941. He organized 12 churches in area. Pastor of Petrey Memorial Baptist Church, 1922-40. Filled other pulpits until death, 1953.
During the Civil War, Kentucky was officially neutral, but the state was divided in its loyalties, with many citizens fighting on both sides of the conflict.