Union Baptist Church was founded in 1884, 21 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Union Baptist had its origin in First Baptist Church which is now located on Village Drive. The first building was erected on East Third Avenue on land donated and duly transferred on October 24, 1905, by Henry M. And Laura Hargrave. The name Union was chosen because of the train station, Union Depot, was located across from the church.

 

The Union Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1887 by a council appointed by the Rowan Missionary Baptist Association. Reverend G. O. Crosby was the moderator and Reverend  J. W. Johnson was the first pastor with a congregation of 25 members.  Services were held on the first and third Sundays and Sunday School was held on Sunday afternoons. B.Y.P.U., now B.T.U. was held on Tuesday evenings.

 

Under the leadership of Reverend S.D. McIver land was purchased on 110 Lincoln Avenue and Union Baptist was built on its present site in 1954.  Following Reverend McIver‘s tenure as pastor, Reverend J.L.  Stowe assumed the leadership of Union Baptist Church. Under Reverend Stowe’s leadership, the membership continues to grow.  In 1960, rooms were partitioned in the fellowship hall for Sunday School classes.  In 1980, the sanctuary was enlarged to accommodate church growth.

 

The following pastors have served during the history of Union Baptist Church. Reverends  J.W. Johnson, R..L Files, J.W. Hawkins, L.W.  Wertz, Peter Roger Brown, J.L. Pridgeon, Leonard Macon, S.D. McIver, J.L. Stowe, Darryl W. Robinson, Rufus T. Wyatt, Robert C. Scott and presently, Pastor Darrell L. Thomas.

 

Union Baptist Church is a member of the Rowan Baptist Association in addition to being affiliated with the General Baptist State Convention and its auxiliaries.

 

Union Baptist has produced several sons in the ministry, the Reverend Thomas Littlejohn, Reverend Jack Gooden, Reverend Booker T. Thomas, Reverend James R. Kirk, Minister Albert B. Armstrong, Minister Keith Brown, Minister Leon Marsh, Minister Coy Medley, and Minister Brian Diggs.

 

Under the leadership of Pastor Thomas, Union Baptist Church has developed several ministries: Food Ministry,  Evangelism Ministry, Senior Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Liturgical Dance Ministry, Intercessory Prayer Ministry, Greeters Ministry, Children's Church and Clothing Ministry.

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