our history
The Church Barn was originally built in 1894 as the Nonesuch Christian Church. The Nonesuch Christian Church served the Nonesuch community for several decades as a place for worship, fellowship, weddings and social gatherings. After a number of years and a dwindling congregation, the Nonesuch Christian Church was sold and converted into a tobacco barn. The Coyle family and many other local families housed and stripped tobacco in what was locally known as the Church Barn until the 1990’s. Thereafter, the Church Barn deteriorated while it sat vacant due to the dwindling burley tobacco market. Many of the original woodwork features are still present on the exterior and interior of the structure, including the Gothic arch framing from the large windows.
The Schoolhouse was originally built circa 1899 as the second Nonesuch School. The Nonesuch School taught children from first grade through eighth grade between the early 1900’s until 1936. The old schoolhouse showcased two rooms, a stage, large windows, a four columned front porch and a 15 foot coffered ceiling. This building hosted many social events including school plays and the annual Nonesuch May Day event. Upon the creation of the third Nonesuch School, which currently houses Irish Acres and The Glitz, the school was converted into a private residence and resided in by various members of the Coyle and Corman families.
Today both buildings have been meticulously restored and updated by the hands of our own family. We have reopened to the public as a boutique wedding and event venue, honoring the vision and dream of our late father, John Coyle.
“Dad’s dream was to start a wedding venue at his farm when he retired from the Judge’s office. Sadly he passed a month before retirement and didn’t get to fulfill that dream. In the 4 years since we lost Dad, we have worked very hard as a family to make his dream a reality. Now, we have turned our family farm into Church Barn Farm wedding and special event venue. Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we would be hosting such beautiful weddings for amazing families. We love seeing familiar faces from right down the road and welcoming new friends with guests all the way from Ecuador.
Dad, we hope you are proud of us and your farm. All your grandkids walk in the fields, and one day they will tell our guests about you and the history of our farm.”
– With love from Andrew, Roy, John Paul, Matthew, & Momma
a kentucky gem
Church Barn Farm sits in the heart of Nonesuch, a small tobacco farming community that was settled because there was
“Nonesuch better place for crops”.
