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The Union United Baptist Church was organized in 1851 with five charter members. The council was Elders S. A. Martin and W. P. Sneed. This group was received into the fellowship of the Franklin Baptist Association at their twelfth annual meeting held with the Ten Mile Baptist Church in Hamilton County in the summer of 1852. This little church grew and prospered and at one time their membership numbered 52 but by 1867 their number was reduced to 20 and by mutual consent they agreed to disband. This church never had a building of its own but met in the school house all during the sixteen years of its existence.

At this time the Baptist churches were dividing over the question of missions. Some believed that missions were the mission of the church and these were nicknamed "Missionaries," while others were much opposed to missions, these were nicknamed "Hardshells." In some churches the Hardshells outnumbered the Missionaries, while in others the Missionaries outnumbered the Hardshells. In either case the minority group withdrew and started a church of their own. Whether that is what happened here we cannot be sure.

On November 23, 1870 The Union United Baptist Church was organized the second time with ten charter members. The council to organize the church was Elders C. Allen and C. Young Allen. The first pastor was Elder C. Young Allen. This church was received into fellowship of the Franklin Baptist Association at their thirty-first annual meeting held with the County Line Church in Williamson County, in September 1871. This little group of ten that started in 1870 seemed to grow and in 1880 their number had grown to 62. The records from 1870 to 1883 have been lost so we cannot be sure just who the ten charter members were. The records of the Sugar Camp Baptist Church show no dismissals by letter at this time so the charter members may have all come from Ten Mile Baptist Church.

The first house was built in the summer of 1871. It was made of logs with a clapboard roof and was called "The Meetin' House." In September of 1889 the church voted to put a new roof on the house. No finance committee was appointed for no money was needed. All they needed was a saw, axe, frow, timber and some willing workers. By February 1896 the house was needing some repair to the foundation but some thought best to build a new house so in February 1896 they voted that in March they would vote on whether to build a new house or repair the old one. That would give them a month to think it over. At the March business meeting they voted to build a new house. Two committees were appointed: Finance Committee was-, Sylvester Dewitt, U. G. Boster and Morgan T. Marsh. Building Committee was, Alex Gibbs, Jacob Moore and Josephus Allen.

At the August meeting 1896 they voted to appoint a committee to solicit funds to buy a bell for the new house.

Committee was: Anna Allen, Ida Dewitt, Sarah Moore, Alice Richardson, Rado Goin and Nola Smith. At the September meeting the committee reported $16.65 raised to buy the bell. The house was completed and was dedicated in October 1896. It is still standing but has been remodeled.

picture donated by Kyle Schultz

In looking over the records-Sylvester Dewitt was church clerk from 1883 to 1895. Some of the pastors were Elders T. A. Dulaney, C. Young Allen, R. W. Lee, John Elliott, J. H. Allen and K. W. Ingram.

In September 1885 they paid the pastor $34.50 for the year. In August 1896 elected Elder J. W. Allen pastor and agreed to pay him $3.25 per month or $40.00 a year but if he held a protracted meeting without any help he was to receive $10.00 more or $50.00 a year. He was to preach fourth time which was Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, Sunday morning and Sunday night once a month. That was called fourth time preaching and for that he was to receive $3.25 a month.

Union Church was known as the United Baptist until 1885 then the United was dropped and later it was known as the Missionary Baptist.

Associations were held sometimes at Galatia, Harris-burg and Raleigh. The church always elected delegates. That was before horse and buggy days but was in horseback days.

Our forefathers have left us a heritage of which we may all be proud. The torch has been carried continuously for almost one hundred years and may it continue until the second coming of Christ.