Hardinsburg United Methodist Church’s history begins in 1828, when Rev. James Taylor moved his family to Hardinsburg and formed the town’s first Methodist Society. Despite the town's reputation for immorality, Taylor and his fellow preachers successfully led an evangelistic movement, converting 66 people in its early years. Over the decades, the church grew and faced numerous challenges, including a split in the Methodist denomination over slavery in 1844 and the creation of Taylor’s Chapel in 1871. The church continued to evolve, with the congregation building a new brick structure in 1904, surviving a devastating fire in 1913, and rebuilding after a second fire in 1933.

     In the 20th century, the church continued to thrive, uniting with the southern Methodist Church in 1939, and expanding its facilities with new additions in the 1950s and 1960s. It celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1978 and later underwent significant renovations, including the construction of Memorial Hall in 1996 and a full restoration of the sanctuary in 2019. Through its history, Hardinsburg UMC has remained a beacon of faith, resilience, and service, adapting to the needs of its congregation and community while maintaining its mission to love God, serve others, and foster fellowship.