Oldest Log Meeting House in Kentucky Built in 1804 — State Historic Site Preserving the Old Mulkey Meeting House, Built in 1804 With 12 Corners Symbolizing the 12 Apostles and 3 Doors Representing the Trinity, Pioneer Cemetery With Graves of Revolutionary War Veterans Including Daniel Boone’s Sister Hannah, One of the Most Architecturally Unique Early American Log Structures Still Standing, Walking Trails Through Cemetery and Historic Grounds, Near Tompkinsville Monroe County South-Central Kentucky
Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site is a state historic site in Tompkinsville, Monroe County, south-central Kentucky, managed by Kentucky State Parks. The site preserves the Old Mulkey Meeting House — built in 1804 as one of the oldest log meeting houses in Kentucky, featuring a unique 12-corner design symbolizing the 12 Apostles of Christ, 3 doors representing the Holy Trinity, hand-hewn log construction showcasing early American frontier craftsmanship, a pioneer cemetery with graves of Revolutionary War veterans and early Kentucky settlers, the burial site of Hannah Boone Pennington — Daniel Boone’s sister, walking trails through the cemetery and historic grounds with interpretive markers, and one of the most architecturally distinctive early American log structures still standing in the South.
The 12-corner design is extraordinary — most frontier log buildings were simple four-cornered rectangles, but the Mulkey congregation created a complex polygon with 12 corners, one for each Apostle. This theological architecture is virtually unique in American frontier building.
The cemetery tells the story of the American frontier — Revolutionary War veterans who fought for independence and then pushed westward into Kentucky’s wilderness are buried here alongside their families. Hannah Boone Pennington’s grave connects this small site to the larger Boone family saga that defined Kentucky settlement.
Things to Do
- Meeting house — 1804, 12 corners
- Pioneer cemetery — Rev War veterans
- Daniel Boone — sister’s grave
- Walking trails — historic grounds
- Architecture — unique log design
- History — frontier Kentucky
Site Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Tompkinsville, Monroe County, KY |
| Built | 1804 — oldest log meeting house in KY |
| Design | 12 corners (Apostles), 3 doors (Trinity) |
| Cemetery | Revolutionary War veterans |
| Notable Burial | Hannah Boone Pennington (Boone sister) |
| Managed By | Kentucky State Parks |
| Coordinates | 36.6833° N, 85.6833° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Old Mulkey Meetinghouse SHP — preserves the oldest log meetinghouse in Kentucky (1804). Daniel Boone’s sister Hannah is buried here. The meetinghouse is a 12-sided log structure — a unique architectural form. The site’s cemetery, forest, and meadows support songbirds and wildflowers.
Nearby Attractions
Tompkinsville — adjacent. Monroe County — surrounding.
Why does Old Mulkey Meeting House have 12 corners?
The 12 corners of Old Mulkey Meeting House (built 1804) symbolize the 12 Apostles, while the 3 doors represent the Holy Trinity. Located in Tompkinsville, Monroe County, Kentucky, this is one of the most architecturally unique frontier log structures still standing in America. The state historic site also features a pioneer cemetery with Revolutionary War veterans and the grave of Hannah Boone Pennington — Daniel Boone’s sister. Managed by Kentucky State Parks.
Last updated: May 2026
Nearby state parks: If you have extra time, Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park is a short drive away, and Barren River Lake State Resort Park is within about an hour’s drive.
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