First Union Baptist Church ... 125 Years

A HISTORY

First Union Baptist Church of Mechanicsville, Virginia is a church rich in history. Its members and officials have had great influence on both the Christian and Hanover communities. The church began with a few individuals who had a simple vision and has now flourished into a mighty branch of Zion.

After leaving First Shiloh Baptist Church as a result of an unknown controversy, Rev. Edward Gentry along with twenty-four followers began organizing another church, which would later be known as First Union Baptist Church. The group purchased one half-acre of land from Mr. Jordan and Mrs. Lucy Winston. After purchasing the property, First Union was built in 1883 and was often referred to as the "tin top church."

While the church was still in its early stages, many boards and auxiliaries were immediately put into place, with the Deacon Board being one of the first. The first deacons of First Union Baptist Church were Benjamin Clark, Washington :Mayo, Thomas Taylor, Peter Govans, Albert Taylor, David Perkins, and Collins Jones. Deacon Mayo and Deacon Clark were later appointed as the church's first trustees. After the establishment of a strong Deacon Board, Walter Swan of Richmond organized Sunday School in 1885. He became the first Sunday School superintendent and Deacon Collins Jones served as his assistant. Leslie Jones and Eddie Clark served as church clerks. During this time, members were primarily baptized at Beatties Mill Pond, also known as "The Mill Pond," located off of Route 360.

For the next ten years, Rev. Gentry served as pastor of First Union Bap,tist Church. Before resigning in 1893, he spent these years organizing and establishing firm foundatioriJ so that the church could continue to grow in its ministry and Christian service. Rev. Jacob Turner and Rev. Tunstall Banks served as First Union's second and third pastors, respectively.

Rev. William Thomas was installed as the fourth pastor. During his pastorate, the Chickahominy Baptist Association (C.B.A.) was organized. Rev. Thomas and the members of First Union became members of the C.B.A. and became an active part of the organization's formation during 1906 and 1907. Rev. Thomas remained at First Union Baptist Church for three years and then accepted a position at First Union of Richmond on Elizabeth Street. During the time span of the church not having a pastor, Deacon Collins Jones served as Chairman of the Deacon Board.

In 1910, Rev. W.A. Brown became First Union's fifth pastor. Under his leadership, members were sent as representatives to the C.B.A., Lott Carey Convention, the Baptist State Convention of Virginia and the Hanover Sunday School Union. During his six years as pastor, Rev. Brown emphasized active community involvement to the members of First Union.

After Rev. Brown's resignation, a new church was in the process of formation. Two trustees, Deacons William Govans and Philip Dandridge, headed the construction of the new church in 1917. The construction of the new building was completed in 1918, with Mr. John Cephas serving as the carpenter. On Monday, August 22, 1921, the King Solomon Lodge No. 27, A.F. & A.M., conducted the corner stone laying ceremony. Worshipful Master Edward James Cunningham presided.

In 1919, Reverend William Branch was called to be the sixth pastor of First Union. Rev. Branch saw a forward moving vision for First Union, and as a result of his leadership, the church membership increased to over 300 members. Rev. Branch became a member of the executive board and served as the vice-president of the Chickahominy Baptist Association. The Church and Pastor's Aide, Missionary Circle, Senior Choir and Baptist Young People's Union were all developed under Rev. Branch's leadership.

On January 26, 1941, First Union burned down and only a few of the church's seats were saved. On February 3, 1941, just a week later, Rev. Branch passed away. Neighboring churches, Shiloh and Pleasant Grove, graciously offered their buildings to First Union while the church was rebuilt. The invitation from First Shiloh was accepted because services could take place during Sundays when they did not hold church services. First Union resumed its services in the building on August 3, 1941. The building was completed in the early part of 1942.

The seventh minister, Rev. Emanuel C. Kent, was called to pastor First Union from 1942-1948. During this time, Mrs. Louise Hunter-Winston organized a young people's choir, the Deacon and Usher boards increased, and the church affiliated itself with the Goodwill Association. A large bell was also purchased and installed at the rear of the church. In the late 1940'S, baptism moved from "The Mill Pond" to Dandridge Lake, owned by one of First Union's members, Mr. Harrison Dandridge. Members were baptized at this lake until the installation of the baptismal pool in the mid 1950'S.

Reverend Bernard Sylvester Giles was elected pastor of First Union Baptist Church in January 1951, and consequently, many new and exciting ministries and programs were birthed. Prior to his installation, church services were held on alternating Sundays. Typically, preachers in surrounding areas would visit churches, leaving congregations without a formal pastor. Certain congregations in Hanover reserved worship . service on first and third Sundays (First Union) while others held service on second and fourth (such as Pleasant Grove Baptist Church), leaving fifth Sundays for programs held by the Missionary Ministry or the Hanover Sunday School Union. (The Sunday School Union is still held today in various churches in the Chickahominy Association.) However, it is important to note that in May of 1951, Reverend Giles established holding church services every Sunday, making First Union Baptist Church the first rural church in the state of Virginia to become a full time church. Several boards, now ministries, were created under Reverend Giles' leadership to include the Board of Finance, Board of Worship, and the Board of Christian Education. In addition to transforming the more formal boards to spiritually based ministries, other auxiliaries were created such as the Hospitality Committee, pioneered by Deaconess Pearl Hunter.

Following the change of biweekly services to full time, the church saw the need for its youth to be involved in worship service. The youth department was organized in 1957 with Mrs. Marion Johnson, Mrs. Vernell Robinson, Mrs. Edna Sherman, Mrs. Inez Taylor Bolling and Rev. and Mrs. Giles as its first leaders. Other programs were created during this time such as the Junior Usher Board and the Sunbeam Choir. In later years, the youth participated in and organized many other activities to include Eagle Eyrie, youth trips, bowling leagues, The Boy Scouts of America (Troop 576), FUBC Fun Day and Annual Harvest Festivals. One essential program created by Dr. Giles deals with giving back to the community at large. Rev. Giles decided he would establish an initiative where the church's youth, in affiliation with the Chickahominy Baptist Association, would raise funds to donate to children who were less fortunate. After initiating the money drive, all funds were donated to the Baptist Children's Home located in Petersburg, VA. Each year congregations all over Hanover County would elect a representative to act as king or queen of their church. They and their families would then hold the responsibility of organizing fundraisers in support of troubled youth at the Baptist Children's Home.

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