Union Baptist Temple was organized under the leadership of Rev. Carney, at a home on Mt. Vernon Street, in the spring of 1920. The Founding Charter members were Sis. Jessie Kinsey, Sis. Mary Battle, Sis. Trudie Manor and Bro. C.W. Parks.
Union Baptist Temple was originally known as the Friendship Baptist Mission. Due to the growth of the church, they moved from Mt. Vernon Street to Pearl Street. Under the leadership of Rev. Felton, the church moved again to Warren Street.. In the fall of 1922, after building the church on the corner of South Pine and Willow Street, the Rev. L.A. Freeman was called as a full-time pastor. Under his leadership the church was fully organized.
Professor H. Bantam, Union’s first musician, organized the Senior and Youth Choirs. Under Pastor Freeman’s leadership many youth ministries were established. In the late 1920's the church also served the community as a “Soup Kitchen” during the “national depression.” Due to declining health, Pastor Freeman retired from the pastorate in 1933.
Rev. Donaldson served as Union’s interim pastor for one year before the Rev. J.W. Dean was called in 1934, serving until 1943. Rev. William Thomas Snead was called to the pastorate in 1943 and served for seven years. Union’s youth ministries flourished under his motivational leadership. Professor J. Pitts and Sis. Ennis were church musicians under Pastor Snead.
In the fall of 1952, the Rev. Robert W. Davis was called to pastor. Many new ministries were added under his leadership. When the membership continued to grow, Pastor Davis encouraged the congregation to work toward the goal of building. Under his leadership a new edifice was built (the Willow Street section, now called the Chapel), the former parsonage was acquired, (423 South East Avenue) and several adjacent properties were purchased for parking. Pastor Davis served until his death in September 1976.
Rev. James Goolsby served as interim pastor until the Pastor M. Marquette Peace Jr., was called in 1977. Many new educational and evangelistic ministries were instituted, and the congregation began saving to build another new edifice. Before Pastor Peace resigned in 1985, many new evangelistic ministries and fellowships were added including: “The Awakening Hour Radio Broadcast” and the memorable annual “Youth Campaign For Christ.”
After serving as interim pastor for a short time, Minister Albert Morgan was called as Pastor in 1986. Under his leadership a new church sanctuary along with dining facility, kitchen, classrooms and computerized offices were added to the existing structure. Several properties were obtained, vans and buses were purchased for transportation. During our 75th Church Anniversary, in October 1995, the mortgage for the new addition was burned. In 1991, Union’s Mass Choir, under the direction of Minister of Music Lester Taylor, recorded their first album “Calvary.” The choirs’ second album, “A Sacrifice of Praise,” was released in May 1996 and the third album, “Only You,” was released in February 2002. Both albums were recorded under the direction of Minister of Music William Smith. Following the leading of the Lord, many educational classes have been added along with the “Koinonia Bible Institute,” and an Adult Computer Education Ministry with a twenty-machine computer lab. October 2003 was groundbreaking for the ALMS Educational/Recreational Center. The grand opening of the ALMS Center became a reality in November 2007. This 34,000 square foot multi-purpose center holds a gymnasium/banquet hall, kitchen facility, conference room, several classrooms,
offices and an indoor exercise track. The mortgage on the ALMS Center was burned during the 100th Church Anniversary. In 2009, Willow Street was changed to Martin Luther King Jr. Way. During the celebration of the church’s 90th Anniversary, the sanctuary, fellowship hall and chapel was renovated. Renovation Dedication Service was held in April 2010. During Reverend Albert Morgan’s 35th Pastoral Anniversary, Pine Street was changed to Rev. Dr. Albert L. Morgan Place.
Sons of the church who served as pastors in other churches are Pastor Stitt Williams, Pastor Willie Hargrove, Pastor Herbert Wright, Pastor Walter Jones, Pastor Daniel Williams, Pastor James Taylor, Pastor Zion Byrd, Pastor James Goolsby, Pastor Carl Seabrook, Jr., Pastor Lester Taylor, Pastor John Fordham, Pastor Herman Henderson, Pastor Richard Buckmon, Pastor Sport Palmer, Pastor Kenny Smithbey, Pastor William Johnson, Pastor David Nelson, Pastor James Whyte, Pastor Awood Jones and Pastor Steve Lomax. Praise God that Union Baptist Temple continues to build the Kingdom!
Past Pastors
(Not Pictured)
Rev. Carney was asked to lead the group known
as the Friendship Baptist Mission in the spring of 1920.
Rev. Felton led the group in 1921.
Rev. J.W. Dean pastored from 1934-1941
Rev. William Thomas Sneed pastored from 1941 – 1950.
REV L.A FREEMAN
1922-1933
REV ROBERT W. DAVIS
1952-1976
Rev. M. Marquette Peace
1977-1985