Union Baptist Church is one of the oldest black congregations in Hartford. In 1889, there was a split in church’s membership and, although both groups wished to retain the name of Union Baptist Church, one group had already claimed a charter before the other group arrived, so the latter group established itself as Shiloh Baptist Church. The English Gothic building which is today Union Baptist Church, at 1921 Main Street in the city’s North End, was built in 1871 and was originally the Memorial Church of St. Thomas, an Episcopal church built in honor of Bishop Thomas Church Brownell, the founder of Trinity College. By the 1920s, St. Thomas Church was facing diminishing attendance. St. Monica’s, a black Episcopal congregation, which had been meeting in a dilapidated church formerly used by Shiloh Baptist Church, was allowed to use the Parish Hall of St. Thomas Church. Eventually, in 1925, the church was offered to Union Baptist Church and St. Monica’s congregation moved to a smaller church, on Mather Street, which Union Baptist had erected in 1908 and was now vacating.
Leaders and members of Union Baptist Church made important contributions to the early civil rights movement: the Reverend John C. Jackson, who who became pastor in 1922, worked to open employment opportunities for African Americans and in 1943 helped establish the Connecticut Inter-Racial Commission, now the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. C. Edythe Taylor, a member of the church, was the first African American teacher in the Hartford public school system. The Union Baptist Church is on the Connecticut Freedom Trail.
Now your church can evangelize easily and with power!
Go to: alightshiningindarkness.com
Read “The Bible Time Machine” & email to unbelievers
Free Download
I was raised in Union Baptist Church and all of my family on my mother’s side were all members of this church. Their names were the Clintons, Hendersons, Baines, Coopers and Shermans. I am amazed at the history of Union Baptist Church and even though I haven’t been there in a long time I am proud to have been apart of this church. My mother’s name is Dorothea May Sherman. I was a member there when Reverend A, Roger Williams and his wife were there. I was a very active member there. I was in the the young peoples choir, the young peoples usher board, baptist youth fellowship and attended church on a regular basis. I would like to ask a favor of you: I have been trying to find out about my mother and son and have not been able to do so. My son’s name is Lamont Smith Jr. He was born August 13,1976 in Mount Sinai Hospital. He is now 36 years old. My address is 4603 E Whiteway Drive, Apt#44,
I didn’t get a chance to complete my mailing address so here it is as follows: 4603 E Whiteway
I didn’t get a chance to give you my complete mailing address so here it is as follows: 4603 E Whiteway Drive, Apt #44 Tampa Fl 33617. I appreciate anything you can do and may GOD bless you and your family along with the Union Baptist Church family. Thank you
Nancy A Sherman
Reverend Williams: You will always have a place in my heart because you were there for me in the most difficult time in my life. I don’t know if you remember this but you helped me to deal with the death of my father in 1970. My father was my world and I thought I would never make it without him. You and your wife made it possible for me to keep going and I am forever thankful to you for it. I will always look up to you and love you for that. Through your teachings I learned that even though a person isn’t with us physically they are mentally and spiritually. They will always live on in our hearts, minds, bodies and souls. You are a true soldier of GOD and may HE keep you and bless you. Love eternally Nancy A. Sherman
We became members of Union in 1970, after moving to Connecticut from Florida; Maple sang in the gospel choir; I served with the BYF assisting Mr. and Mrs. (Linc and Jane) Turner; later, I became Asst. Financial Secretary. We moved to Bloomfield, then to Torrington where our daughter, Yolonda was born. We moved back to Florida in early 1980s… We miss the fellowship of Union members. We have maintained contact with one of the former youth members of BYF, Lawrence “Poncho” Delafose, and would enjoy communicating with other Union Baptist members… God’s blessings to all, in the name of Jesus Christ, our savior… Hughey and Maple White
Correction: Union Baptist church purchased the present building in 1925, not 1953. The steeple fell off during the hurricane of 1938 when they were already there. Please make correction.
Angela Thomas,
Thank you for the correction. I’ve altered the date in the text above.