Historic Union Baptist Church celebrates 194th Anniversary

Contributed

Union Baptist Church, “A Church On The Move For Christ Since 1831” will observe its 194^th Church Anniversary on Sunday, July 20 at 10:45 a.m. The special worship celebration will be presided by Reverend Dr. Orlando B. Yates, Senior Pastor of Union Baptist Church. The guest speaker will be Pastor Julian A. Cook of Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church in Cincinnati. 

Union Baptist Church is Cincinnati’s oldest African American Baptist church and was organized on July 21, 1831, by 14 dedicated Christians, ten men and four women. 

In 1845, by an act of the Ohio General Assembly, the church was incorporated under the name Union Baptist Church of Cincinnati, Ohio.  In 1864, as the church continued to grow and prosper spiritually, numerically and financially, the members purchased the United Brethren Church on the southwest corner of Richmond and Mound Streets.  In this same year, seeing the need for burial space for people of color, the church purchased 16 acres of land for a cemetery (Union Baptist Cemetery) in Price Hill on Cleves Warsaw Pike. Union also owns the United Colored American Cemetery on Duck Creek Road.  Much Cincinnati history can be learned by looking at the names and other census data on the tombstones in both cemeteries.

Seventeen men, chosen of God, have served as pastoral leaders of Union Baptist Church.  The present pastor of Union, Reverend Dr. Orlando Benjamin Yates accepted God’s calling to be pastor and spiritual leader on February 7, 1988.  During his tenure, Pastor Yates has given spiritual enlightment and inspiration to the congregation and to the Cincinnati community

Union Baptist Church has a rich and well-documented 194-year history.  For more information, contact the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center at 513-333-7500 or the church website at https://www.union-baptist.net/about-us/our-history. In addition to information about historic Union Baptist Church, the church website at www.union-baptist.net is both informative and interactive for those who are seeking the Will of God in their lives. The website offers upcoming events; discipleship opportunities and exploratory devotional links for personal spiritual growth; and community connections.

The community is invited to celebrate Union’s 194^th Church Anniversary in person or live-stream at Facebook Live/YouTube.

Union Baptist Church is at 405 W. 7^th Street, Cincinnati, 45203.