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Our History
In September 1891, Salt Springs Baptist Church and Oak Grove Baptist Church with representatives from Beulah Baptist Church met and organized a Baptist Church combining Salt Springs and Oak Grove membership. (The Salt Springs community is now known as Lithia Springs.) The location of the church was resolved one day when Jim Hayes with two or more other members were walking along Ben Hill Road in Douglas County, Georgia, with the thought of finding a location. They felt a need to pray for guidance and sat down by the roadside. After the prayer, they looked around them and decided that very place was the right location. John James owned the land and freely donated eight acres with other substantial aid in the structure of a white frame building. James' wife suggested the name Union Grove, which was given approval by the members.
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|  | During the time Brother H. A. Walker was the minister (1942-1965), the original church building was remodeled inside and bricked on the outside, with "the bricks being given by Brother Leroy Smith" according to the church records. During Brother Woodrow Hart's ministry at Union Grove in the 1960's, the current Pastorium was built after the land had been purchased by Brother Walter Hyatt and donated to the church by him. Even now the members of Union Grove Baptist appreciate the contributions so long ago of such generous members! |
| Today our congregation meets in a sanctuary with a capacity for 500 people, constructed in 1978 during the ministry of Rev. Luther Bartlett. We are encouraged knowing the Lord has been worshiped here for so many years, and we seek His guidance as we offer the community opportunities to grow in their faith.
HIGHLIGHTS OF UGBC HISTORY 1891-1991
Church constituted, First Church building constructed - 1891
Joined Concord Baptist Association - 1891
Sunday School Organized - 1896
WMU Organized - 1912
Brotherhood Organized - 1915
Training Union Organized - 1924
Remodeled Church building - 1946
Sunday School Annex Building added - 1955
Pavilion Constructed 1967
Pastorium Built & Dedicated, June 4, 1967
New Sanctuary Dedicated on Easter Sunday of 1978
In 1891 the church membership totaled 43 individuals. By 1910 it had risen to 103. Unfortunately all of the church records were destroyed in a fire in February of 1932, but some information was recovered from records that had been submitted to the WMU (Women's Missionary Union) and from Associational Minutes dating back to 1895. In 1940 there were 220 members at Union Grove Baptist Church, and 1969 saw a total of 538 members on the roll. And in 1991 there were 600 members!
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| | Now from the Constitution & By-Laws as published by the church in 1969, here is the Covenant of Union Grove Baptist Church:
"The following is the Church Covenant and is expressive of the hopes and purposes according to which our members should strive to live.
Having been led, as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God and Angels and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into the covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the Ministry, the expense of the Church, the relief of the poor and the spread of the Gospel through all the nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotions, to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvatiuon of our kindred and acquaintances; to walk circumspectly in the world; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, back-biting and excessive anger; to abstain from the sale of and use of intoxicating drink as a beverage, and to be zealous in our effort to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling, courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will as soon as possible, unite with some other Church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word." |
| Historical Firsts:
The first Pastor of Union Grove was O. O. Williams, who served from 1891-1900
The first Sunday School Superintendent was I. H. Standridge, 1896.
Women's Missionary Union (WMU) was organized in 1912, with the first recorded President in 1918 Mrs. J.T. Huff. Brotherhood was organized in 1915. Training Union was organized in 1924 with Mrs. Betty Holleman as President.
Vacation Bible School was organized in 1950.
The following men have served the church as pastor over its 120-year history:
O. O. Williams 1891-1900
S. T. Gilland 1900-1910
R.E.L. Ragsdale 1910-1911
J. S. Reynolds 1912
Cobb Standidge 1913 (Photo shown)
F. Jerry Smith 1914-1915
S. T. Gilland 1916-1930 (baptized more than 200 converts)
R. L. Parker 1931-1940
Earnest Norton 1940-1941
J. W. Norton 1941-1942
H. A. Walker 1942-1965 (During his ministry, the church was remodeled and an annex building added. Rev. Walker baptized 328 converts.)
J. A. Landers 1965
Woodrow W. Hart 1965-1969
Robert W. Norton 1969-1972
Luther Bartlett Jr. 1972-1980 (During his ministry, the current sanctuary was constructed)
James Ed Wix 1981-1982
Charles Burgess 1982-1989
Kenneth O. Hennesy 1989-Present Day (2011) |  |
|  | Highlights of the Past:
"May Day" Singings were held on the first Sunday in May each year. It was a high point of church life from early time until the mid 1930's. Train loads of people came from as far away as Birmingham, Alabama to attend. The church being near the Southern Railroad track, the accommodation stopped at the nearest point for passengers to disembark. 'Sacred Harp' Singings were held in June even until the late 1960's and drew great crowds for many years.
The following men were ordained into ministry by Union Grove Baptist Church:
Harry Meek
Garrett Standridge
Dennis Vining
Fred Johnsa (Shown in photo)
Tom Gore
Johnny White
M. L. Perry Jr. |
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