" A Place Where Christ Resides! "
First Church Split (1945-1946)
In 1945 at a regular church conference, the membership agreed to build a new church. There were two sites that were considered. Union Baptist Church is presently located on one of the sites in the Davisville neighborhood. The old Dr. Durrani’s Office on Winston Churchill Drive (present day Langston Park neighborhood) is the approximate location of the second site. The church’s membership was divided over which site to build the new church. A marginal majority at a duly called meeting voted to build in the Davisville community. Those in opposition to the selection site included the Banking Committee members. That committee refused to release $3,000 to the Building Committee to acquire the land and to start construction of the church as set forth in the contract between Union Baptist Church and J.W. Enochs, the contractor. As a result, a court battle ended in the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals on June 18, 1946. The court ruled that the church had entered into a valid binding contract with the contractor in the amount of $10,150. The court’s decision gave rise to Union Baptist’s first split or splintering of its membership. Some of Union Baptist’s most outstanding officers and members left and joined with several sister churches in Hopewell including First Baptist City Point, Friendship Baptist Church and Mount Carmel Baptist Church. Rev. Wilton Cook was the pastor during this time of disagreement and legal dispute.
Second Church Split (1947)
In May or June of 1947, exactly four months after the dedication of the new church building, a most unusual event occurred. Rev. Wilton Cook who had been the pastor for seven years announced to the congregation that he had been preaching the wrong biblical doctrine. At that point, he walked out of Union Baptist Church and joined with another denomination (Church of Christ) across the street. Many of the members followed him and others scattered and joined other churches in the community. He left behind 35 members and a debt of $10,144.24 that was owed on the new church building. The remaining church officers and members sent up a fervent plea and prayers to God for help during this trying time. Solomon Jones, Chairman of the Deacon’s Ministry was instrumental in contacting Dr. King through his friend, Dr. L. C. Johnson, Pastor of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Petersburg, Virginia.
Era of Rev. G. W. King (1947-1961)
The prayers were answered when Rev. King, a great Christian and a man of courage with an abiding love for God and his fellow man assumed leadership of Union Baptist Church at the darkest moment in its history. Rev. King preached his first sermon to a congregation of about ten people on Sunday, September 28, 1947. Since Rev. King was a past Dean of the Bethany Baptist Association, one of his first acts was to request a call meeting of the Association for the purpose of reconciling and bringing Union Baptist back into the fellowship. Union Baptist had been excluded from the fellowship primarily because of the first split that resulted in a court battle.
Rev. King busied himself, rallying and reorganizing the membership. The Divine Providence of Almighty God coupled with prayers and Rev. King’s dynamic leadership resulted in a generous contribution of approximately $1,500 from the West End Presbyterian Church (an all-white congregation) located in Hopewell. By 1956, the membership had grown to more than 100 persons and the mortgage was burned on June 10th in that same year. Improvements such as a $900 gas heating unit were installed and paid for in 1957 (replaced the pot-belly stove).
In 1958 a contract was awarded to the A.T. Piner Construction Company for a renovation program at a cost of $10,000. Dr. King’s reign as pastor of Union Baptist Church came to an end in 1961 when he died of a lingering illness.
Era of Rev. Dr. C. W. Harris (1961-2007)
For the third time within a 15-year period, the church was without pastoral leadership. We were without leadership as a church. Without hesitation the church proceeded to call as its pastor, Rev. Curtis W. Harris, Sr. who was then serving as pastor of First Baptist Church, Bermuda Hundred located in Chester, Virginia. Rev. Harris was a local man, a member of the church, a former deacon and licensed and ordained by the late Rev. King. A better decision could not have been made at that time in our history. Rev. Harris assumed the leadership of Union Baptist Church with his sleeves rolled up and encouraged the members to have a mind to work.
Growth and Development
Rev. Harris organized various auxiliaries and ministries (choirs and usher boards) of the church while reorganizing others. Under his leadership the membership has purchased additional land and completed several renovations of the church. There are two major accomplishments that will highlight Rev. Harris’ leadership during the 46 years that he served as pastor of Union Baptist Church. One such accomplishment was the addition of a wing that housed the G.W. King Fellowship Hall (named for the late Rev. Dr. George W. King), pastor’s study/office, five Sunday school classrooms, kitchen and furnace and utility room. The other major accomplishment was the total renovation and beautification of our sanctuary with the addition of a baptistery to include a built-in water heater (replacing the old baptistery under the rostrum) and the extension to the front of the church by moving the bell tower forward. The tower bell is the original from the 1917 church building. The mortgages for both projects were paid off expeditiously. Some have called Rev. Harris a missionary; some have called him an agitator, while others have called him a special gift to the people of this community. The church also became a beacon of civil rights activism, with Rev. Harris becoming a prominent social and political figure. Rev. Curtis W. Harris can be acclaimed as a “God Sent Man”, who stimulated his people to great heights through the ministry and became a civil rights icon, City Councilor, Vice Mayor and Mayor while playing an active role in the struggle for justice for all mankind.
After serving 46 years as pastor of Union Baptist Church Rev. Harris announced his retirement. He preached his last sermon Sunday, December 16, 2007.
A Time of Transitions
Following Rev. Harris’ retirement, the Deacon’s Ministry immediately sought an experienced retired pastor emeritus to serve during the church’s pastor search. Deacon James Patterson, Deacon Chair and Deacon Willie Crew met with Rev. Dr. Elisha G. Hall, and he agreed to serve as Interim Pastor. Dr. Hall served effectively as a preacher, teacher, pastor and consultant for two years and four months. During this transitional period the church purchased property (a house next door to the church) and obtained the service of an accountant for financial guidance and bookkeeping. Rev. Hall served as Interim Pastor from December 23, 2007 to April 11, 2010. The love and compassion he exuded will forever be remembered by the members of Union Baptist.
Rev. Joshua N. King, Sr. was elected as pastor of Union Baptist Church Saturday, March 6, 2010. He was an inspiring preacher and teacher. For six consecutive months two or more persons were baptized. He initiated the Thursday noon-day Bible Study primarily for the senior church members, implemented leadership training classes and New Discipleship Class, restructured the Sunday School to incorporate the men and women classes, appointed a Director of Christian Education and secured a Certificate of Incorporation for a 501 c-3 nonprofit foundation. Without any prior notice on Sunday, August 18, 2013, Rev. King announced his resignation to the church effective September 8, 2013.
Once again, the Deacons searched for an Interim Pastor with pastoral experience needed to lead and spiritually guide the congregation. Rev. Dr. Andrew White agreed to serve for a short period of time. Dr. White served for six months (November 3, 2013 - April 27, 2014). He preached, taught Bible Study and baptized several persons.
On Sunday, March 30, 2014 the Pastoral Search Committee recommended Rev. Anthony L. Nutt to the membership at a Special Called Meeting following morning worship service. On May 4, 2014 Pastor-Elect Nutt preached his first sermon. Pastor Nutt was installed Sunday, July 27, 2014 as Senior Pastor. Improvements that have been made during his leadership include renovation of the sanctuary, addition of a conference room, Youth Zone, Kindergarten, Youth Church and state-of-the art media room. Rev. Nutt enthusiastically preaches and teaches the unadulterated Word of God.
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