Joseph James Bullock (December 23, 1812 – November 9, 1892) was a Presbyterian clergyman who served as the first Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction from 1838 until 1839, and as Chaplain of the United States Senate from 1879 until 1883.
In December, 1836, the session of First Presbyterian Church of Frankfort, Kentucky, invited Bullock to supply the pulpit for twelve months.
Before six months expired, he was called to the pastorate of the church, and in October, 1837, he was ordained and installed in this, his first charge, at the age of twenty-four.
[1] During this period, he was also appointed by Governor James Clark to serve as the first Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction (1838–39).
He served as pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Louisville, (1853–1855), again as principal of the Walnut Hills Seminary (1856–1860).