Interview with Lowell Edward Gregg, April 25, 1991

Partial Transcript: Today is Thursday, April the twenty-fifth, 1991. I'm Jean Becker, a member of Second Presbyterian Church, and this is an unrehearsed interview at the church, 460 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky, with Lowell Gregg, also a long-time member of Second Church.

Segment Synopsis: Gregg talks about his parents and grandparents. He describes his education, meeting his wife, moving to Lexington, and joining Second Presbyterian Church.

Keywords: Childhood memories; Civil engineering; Delores Gregg; Family; Grandparents; Parents; Purdue University; Rushville, Indiana; School

Subjects: Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: I know through the years that you've been involved in many things in the church. You've been an elder for--do you remember when you were first elected to the session?

Segment Synopsis: Gregg talks about his service in the church, and changes in the church building. He talks about teaching Sunday School.

Keywords: Church building; Deacons; Elders; Jim Angel; Juvenile delinquency; Sunday School; Teachers; Trustees

Subjects: Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Religious educators; Religious facilities.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Well I wanted to ask you, um, to tell us, kind of in detail, whatever you can remember about the building of the educational wing. Now I know you were on the, the committee. And I'd like for you to, um, tell us the other people on the committee.

Segment Synopsis: Gregg talks about the campaign to solicit funds for the expansion of the church building in the 1950s. He describes creating floor plans, and how the rooms were planned to be used. Gregg talks about obstacles in constructing the additions.

Keywords: 1954; 1955; Building Committee; Church building; Dining room; Facilities; Floor plans; Funds; Garden room; Helping Hands program

Subjects: Church committees.; Church maintenance and repair; Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Religious facilities.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Since you've mentioned that building, I don't believe anyone has discussed that, but I know when Hal was a Trustee, those were apartments that the church rented out.

Segment Synopsis: Gregg talks about the church-owned apartment buildings and the eventual decision to demolish them. He describes matching the stone to the new additions to the church. He discusses the decoration of the interior of the expansion. Gregg talks about the completion of the expansion. The interviewer relates an incident where her son was injured on the incomplete church structure.

Keywords: 1957; 1958; Buildings; Campbell Memorial Room; Christian Education addition; Cost; Decor; Dedication; Hal Becker; Interior; Masonry; Remodeling; Renovation; Rent; Stone; Structures; Tenants

Subjects: Church maintenance and repair; Church management.; Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Religious facilities.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: The only complaint that I hear concerning the education wing is, of course, we have no air conditioning.

Segment Synopsis: Gregg talks about the lack of air conditioning in the education wing of the church. He discusses the changes in arrangements within the Christian Education division. He talks about the influx of families with young children.

Keywords: Air conditioning; Church building; Education wing; IBM; Jim Angel; Library section; Sanctuary

Subjects: Church maintenance and repair; Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Religious facilities.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: If I can go back just a moment--

Segment Synopsis: Gregg talks about the religious affiliations of his grandparents and his family's involvement with the Catholic church. He talks about the religious tension in his childhood.

Keywords: Catholics; Church membership; Family; Grandparents; Methodist Church; Parents; Protestant; Rushville, Indiana; Siblings; United Presbyterian Church

Subjects: Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Um, when you came to Lexington, you said you were, um, employed at UK?

Segment Synopsis: Gregg talks about his employment with the University of Kentucky, and eventually starting his own business. He describes meeting with scholarship students. He talks about conducting foundation investigations, and names particular structures in Lexington where he completed the service. He discusses his decision to retire.

Keywords: 1956; 1957; Department of Transportation; Employment; Environmental work; Foundation investigations; Highway scholarships; IBM complex; Jobs; Kentucky Department of Highways; Office Tower at University of Kentucky; Research facility; Residence halls; University of Kentucky

Subjects: Lexington (Ky.); Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: One thing we haven't touched on is, uh, your children. I know you have four sons?

Segment Synopsis: Gregg talks about his sons, including their education, participation in church activities, and careers. He talks about his grandchildren. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Catholic Church; Children; Daughter-in-laws; Delores Gregg; Family; Grandchildren; Religion; Retirement; School; Sons

Subjects: Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)