Worship Religion has been an integral part of life in Mercer County from the very beginning. The Reverend John Lythe, the area’s first minister, came to Fort Harrod with his Bible in one hand and his axe in the other. Under his guidance, religion became a large part of pioneer life, and the religious foundations pioneers laid are still strong today. Although residents are predominantly Protestant, there are many religions represented in Mercer County today. There are more than 50 congregations meeting regularly throughout the county. Several Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian and Methodist churches help to lift the spirits of the residents, along with a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the St. Andrews Catholic Church and several other independent churches. Although there are several different religions in Mercer County, they blend harmoniously together to form one religious community, where people may worship as they choose. Come and worship as you may, just as the early settlers of the county did.