Where Did We Come From

In the year of our Lord 1919, a small group of Christians living on Hickman Road in Claymont, Delaware, were inspired and encouraged by Margaret Roane to form a prayer group. As a resident of the community who visited her neighbors regularly, Mrs. Roane saw a need for them to come together to start a church for Baptist Christians.

The meetings were held one night a week and Sunday mornings at the home of Philip and Margaret Roane and Robert and Lula Johnson. They sang, prayed and studied the Scriptures.

The Reverend Robert H. Butcher of Elmwood, Pennsylvania -  a close friend of Brother and Sister Roane - was invited to assist them in organizing a church. Under his leadership, the first officers were appointed and the membership totaled fifteen adults and children.

A two-room brick building stood on a hill behind Hickman Road and was donated to the residents of the community by the Worth Steel Company.  However, one room of the building was not being used. Sister Margaret Roane, who worked for the wife and president of Worth Steel, asked for and received permission for the residents to hold church services in that portion of the building.

Under the leadership of Rev. Butcher, on Sunday afternoon, May 22, 1921, the first service was held in the “little school house” and the congregation organized as the Union Baptist Church.  Rev. Butcher was elected as the pastor and Sis. Margaret Harns was the secretary. Without a piano, an organ or even a tambourine, the congregation joined in singing.  During the call for membership, nine persons joined.

The membership continued to grow under Rev. Butcher’s leadership until his resignation in 1925.  Subsequently, Rev. Daniel Heath was called and pastored the church for fourteen years. When Rev. Heath resigned, the Rev. John Hayes was called and pastored for nine years.  Rev. Vernell Bland, an associate minister of the church, served after Rev. Hayes until Rev. Herman L. Brooks was called to pastor on April 11, 1948.

Worth Steel Company commissioned the W.D. Haddock Construction Company of Wilmington, Delaware, to build a church site across the street in front of the homes on Hickman Row. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Sunday, February 6, 1949 with Rev. Herman L. Brooks presiding.  The building was leased to the church for $1.00 per year.

Rev. Brooks pastored for seven years and resigned due to failing health. Rev. Otis A. Herring officiated until Rev. A. H. Harrison was called to pastor.  Rev. Harrison pastored for six years.

Rev. Otis A. Herring, an ordained son of the church, served as interim pastor from January to July of 1963.  He was installed as pastor on the second Sunday in September of that year. At the time of his installation, the church only had two deacons (Brothers Hollan Trotter and Joseph L. Crumpler), $150 in the bank, a yearly budget of $2,000, a membership of approximately 60 people, a structured lease from Worth Steel Company at a cost of $1 per year and two choirs (the Senior Choir and Pastors Aide Chorus).

Pastor Herring labored diligently and untiringly.  In September 1963, the church building in Claymont, Delaware was sold and the members had until the third Sunday in December to locate another place for worship. On the fourth Sunday of the same month services were held at the YMCA at 10th and Walnut streets in Wilmington, Delaware where services were held for three years.  During this time, the church started a building fund drive. As a result of combined efforts, a lot was purchased at 26th and Pine streets in Wilmington, Delaware at a cost of $6,000.00, which the congregation liquidated in less than one year.

Groundbreaking for the new edifice was held on May 24, 1964. The construction of the new edifice began in September 1966. The church was occupied in March 1967. The total cost for land and building was over $100,000.00, which included the main sanctuary, recreational annex, and the day care facility.  The total cost of the main structure was liquidated in less than three years.  Under Rev. Otis A.  Herring, the church grew spiritually, financially, and under his leadership increased in membership.

The Union family began to plan for the new sanctuary in 1974.  A vacant lot at 26th and Carter streets was purchased for $15,000 and a magnificent bricks people sanctuary was build a cost of $700,000.  The dedication and opening services were celebrated October 23rd - November to 6th  of 1977; the theme, “A Dream Unfolds”.  The theme song, “The Lord Has Brought Us a Money Long Way", was written by the late Brother Leander Morris. Upon inhabiting the new edifice, the church began restructuring and new ministries were established

In September of 1992, church suffered a soul-searching blow when the congregation divided. More than 50 percent of the members started a new fellowship while the remaining congregation maintain its 20 auxiliaries. Yet, they continued outreach ministries; and remained committed to the membership of the Union Baptist Church.

Another blow was suffered when on July 12, 1996, pastor Rev. Otis A. Herring departed this life after a long illness and 35 years of service to the Union Baptist Church, the community, and the city.

The next two years were difficult and trying times for the Union Baptist Church family; but the Lord source through.  Under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the Deacons Ministry, along with ten associate ministers, faithful trustees, officers and members of the church, we endured the lost and grew numerically and spiritually.

The church went into prayer and selected a pulpit search committee of 11 members, chaired by deacon Ronald Davis, Sr. The committee, after reviewing over 100 resumes, and completing an extensive search, met the candidate. On Sunday, April 26, 1998, He met the congregation and preached his interview sermon “Can You Stand To Be Blessed?”  Union Baptist Church by a unanimous vote accepted the Rev. LaBarron F. McAdoo, Sr. as its pastor. Reverend LaBarron F. McAdoo, Sr. and wife, Angie; along with their children; LaBarron, Jr., Mychal DeJuan, and Mekayla Dominique were welcomed as the marriage of a new pastor and membership consummated.

Pastor McAdoo, a native of Murfreesboro, Tennessee accepted the call, relocated to Delaware June 1st, and on June 6, 1998 preached his first Pastoral Sermon as Senior Pastor of the Union Baptist Church. The sermon was entitled “Come Out With Your Hands Up”.   From that time, he has been committed to the Developing Dynamic Disciples.  He came to us with the goal to “… pastor and the body of Christ throughout the entire community, to seek a fine, and to recover the lost sheep of God and lead them to Christ…” Moreover, “…. to continue as our fathers have before us in endeavoring to buildup the spiritual and educational level of God's people with sound biblical teaching and preaching; making us better equipped to complete the mission that God has purposed through us”.

Pastor McAdoo has continued his normal denominational affiliation as he is joined forces with the Mount Zion Baptist Missionary Association of Delaware, Inc. and the United Baptist Convention of Delaware, Inc..  He has served as a moderator of the Mount Zion Baptist Missionary Association, as well as, vice president of the Congress of Christian Education for the United Baptist Convention of Delaware. 

Pastor McAdoo now leads Union Baptist into the 21st-century with the inherited church theme: “ A Growing Church for Growing Christians”.  Since Pastor McAdoo has come, Union has grown not only numerically  but she is also grown financially (burning the mortgage of the church in 2001) and spiritually. The church now has over 30 ministries, which include a Noon Mid-Week Bible Study and a vibrant youth ministry & Bible study fellowship. Our attendance at our Midweek Bible study has grown to approximately 100 persons each week. Sunday classes continue to grow. Numerous people have been introduced to Christ and are now in our Dynamic Discipleship Track.  The history of Union Baptist Church Bears witnessed in our religious commitment is being progressively and positively delivered. Our religious life is experiencing rapid and accelerated growth. Our congregation is very much a team to the social blight of the community and is continuously seeking means to improve the quality of life.

The Lord has truly blessed our church with a pastor who preaches and teaches the WORD. The Union Baptist Church’s weekly television broadcast ministry (Sunday mornings at 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. on Comcast channel 28) features the awesome and anointed Word of God from our pastor.