LaFayette was first settled in the late 1810s, and by 1820 was home to a dry goods and grocery store.

[4] The city was named in honor of Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette.

Built in 1852 by Dutch-born builder Daniel Umbenhour, the church is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

[6] LaFayette is located along Kentucky Route 107 in the southwestern corner of Christian County, 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Hopkinsville, the Christian County seat, and 2 miles (3 km) north of the Tennessee state line.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.2 square miles (0.6 km2), all land.